The Front Row Shares Their Top Fashion Month Faux Pas & Mistakes To Avoid!

Identity theft, distant shows, drama, and more are so last season!

by Aaron Royce
Fashion Month, front row, faux pas, fashion mistakes, NYFW, New York Fashion Week, PR

What’s are the faux pas driving the front row crazy? We asked the front row to weigh in!  

Sergio Hudson, creative director, Sergio Hudson
Stealing gift bags! Every season we have really nice gift bags under the chairs. I have people that always say, “I didn’t get a gift bag!” because the photographers come right after they get up and snatch them up. It’s hilarious—but they really should stop doing that!

Sally Holmes, editor in chief, InStyle  
Being over Fashion Week and complaining about being at Fashion Week. We’re all very lucky to be here!

Sally Holmes

Sally Holmes (Shuttershock)

Avril Graham, host and executive producer, Invitation
There’s been Fashion Week faux pas since the beginning of time! People who take your seat, people who duplicate tickets. I’ve even had people faking my name, asking for tickets on behalf of the magazine when I was at Bazaar saying that they were an editor covering on our behalf. My signature was faked—the whole nine yards! Those people are very clever now about how to do these things. It’s not cool.

Kevin Huynh, fashion director, InStyle  
Bad attitude at Fashion Week is not the look! There’s nothing worse than a crabby fashion person.

Trishna Rikhy, associate style commerce editor, Esquire
Cutting in line needs to end! And also, rushing the bouncer when you are in line and being like, “Let me in.” Trust me: the PR agencies want you in there more than you want to be in there, and your turn will come.

Eva Chen, director of fashion partnerships, Instagram
When people think too hard about their content, or wait weeks and weeks to post their latergrams. During Fashion Week, just remember: it’s called Instagram! Don’t be afraid to post imperfect content, throw it all in a carousel, and have fun with it.

Eva Chen (Courtesy BFA / Sansho Scott & Ben Rosser)

Alexis Bennett Parker, shopping content lead, Elle
I miss the days of everything being in the same place. I get it—a venue can help tell the story of the clothes! But I miss the days of like, “We know the next show is in the next tent.” My faux pas is having to go to Brooklyn, the Hamptons, all in a short amount of time. Bring it all back together!

Jessica Andrews, senior content director of shopping, PS
For me it’s really trying too hard and not embracing your personal style. A lot of people are peacocking just to be photographed, and it doesn’t feel authentic. I’m really over that! Just come dressed as yourself and be authentic. That’s really refreshing and genuine, and it shows.

Samantha Olson, assistant news editor, Cosmopolitan
I get that it’s easy to feel stressed or crabby when you’re running around the city, but being rude is never the move. I always like to say hi to staff or ask how they’re doing, because they’re going through the madness, too. If you are in a bad mood, just protect your energy and keep to yourself.

Samantha Olson (Zachary Olewnicki)

Matthew Cancel, founder, Cancel Communications
A Fashion Week ffaux pas is not replying to emails, and gatekeeping certain events. I think that certain publicists need to stop speaking on behalf of their clients when their clients feel very differently than they do. I don’t know how to politely summarize that, but that’s my take there! One way or the other, it’s incredibly frustrating and it is very unhelpful. And from publicist to publicist, I think it’s just rude to not reply to emails and leave people in the dark in terms of their requests. 

Matthew Cancel, parties, The Public Hotel

Matthew Cancel

Pamella Roland, creative director, Pamella Roland
We don’t have the drama. We are low on drama. I’ve been doing this for so long—what’s [so] important to be upset about? Don’t be upset about something that’s really trivial. That really bothers me, when people have too much drama.

Copelyn Bengel, accessories editor, Bustle Digital Group 
Having shows 3,000 miles apart. There’s no time! And starting a show at the 45-minute mark.

Ana Colón, freelance editor
Being rude to people, in general. At the door, when you see folks. We’re a community, we all see each other at the same events. Just be nice!

Ana Colón

Kendall Becker, trend forecaster, Trendalytics
Taking your photo in places and times when it’s not appropriate. If it’s taking away from other guests being able to view the actual collection, it needs to be kept in check. But we always love a content moment—at the right time!

Bella Gerard, content creator
Having your show somewhere that’s really hard to get to!

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