We've come to terms with the fact that for all of Fashion Week's excitement and glamour, it also demands long hours, little to no sleep, and an implicit expectation to look our best even when we're not exactly feeling fresh as a daisy. Not to worry, after seasons of crammed schedules, late nights, and more than one shoe-related mishap, we've certainly worked out many of the secrets of Fashion Week-goer success. With New York's Fall 2013 mayhem kicking off in a matter of days, we're here to share our foolproof survival tips straight from the Lincoln Center-Milk Studios-and everything in between battlefield.
The Fashion-Week Warrior Checklist:
- Pre-primp. Believe us, treating yourself to a mani/pedi and fresh haircut (or blowout) will make you feel so much better once Fashion Week kicks off. That said, make an appointment a few days before the madness hits, and might we suggest, gel manicures are the perfect option since there will be no time for touch-ups!
- Band-Aids. We cannot stress this enough: Band-Aids are crucial amidst the Fashion Week hustle and bustle. You may love your brand-new Louboutins, but trust us, they may not love you back yet. To avoid the pain and awkward limp-walk that comes with blister territory, tote a travel-sized kit of bandages with you. Luckily, these adhesive saviors are so compact, no one needs to know you're a First-Aid center on heels.
- Snack attack. Here's the thing - the whole three-meals a day thing ceases to exist during this heightened time of presentations, runway shows, and afterparties. And, if you're not careful, you'll easily find yourself subsisting on a liquid diet of coffee, champagne, and Perrier, aka it's not sustainable or energy inducing. Make sure you've got snacks at the ready. We're partial to raw almonds and KIND mini bars, which provide us with equal amounts of protein and antioxidants.
- Map out your wardrobe. Practice what you preach: organization. In this case, it's worth your while to have the general gist of what you're going to wear each day (and to what events), so you can maximize on sleep time and on getting out the door in the mornings as efficiently as possible. Ideally, you'll have a solid mix of sleek staples (silky blouses, one amazingly tailored black sheath, killer heels, and so on) and an arsenal of statement accents to offset the basics. Whatever your personal style may be, anticipate your energy levels to wane by day five; thus, having an outfit plan set into motion is key.
Let the survival-mode tips keep on coming - after the break.