Inside Fashion Week: The PR Perspective

By: Jordan Ross

Send the cold email- you might end up front row at New York Fashion Week.

This February, I attended my first New York Fashion Week working as a public relations assistant. This world is glamorous, exciting, and hardcore- let’s recap.

More than an Instagram Story

When fashion week happens around the world, you may be alerted to it through a quick Instagram story you saw from your favorite influencer or an article on your favorite fashion publication. But do you know how much goes into getting those placements? Editors, buyers, celebrities, and other icons of the fashion world don’t end up at these shows by accident. 

Planning for fashion shows and presentations begins months in advance. Of course, designers are hard at work curating their collections. But there is an entire other mega cog in the fashion machine: public relations. Without outreach, relationships, research, gifting, and so much more, the seats at a fashion show would be empty, and no one would be discussing or wearing your brand. Every seat, every detail, is calculated.

Fashion Week is a time to position your brand as relevant or to launch emerging designers into the spotlight. So yes, they want to be on your Instagram story. But they also want to impress editors at major publications, celebrity stylists, and the other fascinating power players who determine what everyone will be wearing next.

My Andrea Sachs Moment, Thankfully Without a Miranda Priestly

When I thought about working as a temporary assistant for fashion week, I was thrilled, but I also had an image in my head of The Devil Wears Prada. I know public relations- I do not know how to get you an unpublished version of a Harry Potter book. Thankfully, I didn’t have a Miranda Priestly-esque boss and was able to delve headfirst into the fashion world with support. I sent invitations, curated seating charts, checked in guests, set up for presentations and shows- and even picked up some packages of Tove Lo’s- casual. 

Trend Forecast

I observed quite a few interesting details that I feel give insight into what we’ll see this year in fashion. 

Corsets are here to stay

Man, woman, Double D or flat- corsets are in. Their presence on the runway, the Wuthering Heights press tour, and on the red carpet signal that corsets will be continuing their moment in 2026. 

Patterns on Patterns 

Feel like you don’t want to buy a piece because it doesn’t go with anything else in your closet? Take the risk. Try mixing patterns on your next night out- so many designers are playing with clashing patterns this year.

Bold Handbags

Don’t want to wear bold items? No worries- carry one. Bold, unique handbags were all over the runway this year. They’re the perfect staple for adding whimsy and flair to any outfit.

Keep an eye out for board game bags from Cult Gaia, sunshine shapes from Tabbe Designs, or even baseball glove moments from Coach.

What I learned

You don’t need to be an expert in every fashion brand to take part in this week. I learned so much about the different people who make fashion truly happen. Don’t let the industry intimidate you. Stand your ground, and don’t be afraid to take a leap into this world if you’ve always been passionate about fashion.