How I Plan For Paris Fashion Week
a very A type personalities guide.
Laying the Foundation
To make Paris Fashion Week a seamless as possible I start with financial planning. I set aside a Fashion Week sinking fund. To do this, I automatically transfer money each month from my checking account to a high-yield savings account, where it sits in a dedicated bucket I’ve created specifically for Fashion Week expenses. This is the best feeling, paying fully up front for travel costs and not using a credit card.
*Also learned to turn off currency exchange on my uber app so Im not charged a fee for exchange rate. Go to Uber » Wallet » Click No preferred currency.
Organizing Travel Details
I keep all my travel information meticulously organized in Google Drive. Within my “Travel” folder, I have subfolders for upcoming trips. Each folder contains flight details, hotel confirmations, screenshots, and any other relevant documents. I can’t be bothered to dig through my emails.
In the Paris folder, I also keep my Paris Fashion Week checklist, which includes:
Shows I’m requesting, I highlight and date when I reached out and if I have heard back.
Press appointments. Once I have press appointments booked, I add to calendar and I always remember to change the appointment time to Paris time.
Contacts I’m reaching for potential collaborations, I do this way in advance as locking down partnerships can take a while.
The name and address of my hotel (useful for brands sending invitations, packages, or samples)
Booking Flights and Accommodations
I book my flight and hotel well in advance. I always fly premium economy on Delta or Air France because it offers more room without an extravagant price tag. For accommodations, I stay at the same hotel each season. They know me, understand my schedule, and always make sure I have my preferred room. It’s a familiar environment that brings comfort and consistency amid the Fashion Week chaos. Additionally, staying slightly outside the busiest areas helps avoid traffic and offers a more relaxed atmosphere.
Crafting My Schedule
About 3-4 weeks before the shows, I visit the official Paris Fashion Week calendar (download the PDF version, its much easier to read) In my Google Doc, I note the shows I’m interested in attending. I’ve learned over the years to be selective. In the past, I would request access to nearly every show, which led to an overwhelming schedule or many rejections. Now, I focus on the houses I genuinely align with, allowing me to put more energy into creating editorial-style imagery and meaningful content.
I then begin reaching out to my contacts, letting them know I’ll be in Paris and would love to attend their shows. At the same time, I connect with brands and designers I admire to coordinate pulls or gifting. This is one of my favorite phases of the planning process—it’s a time of creativity and inspiration, where I can craft more editorial and stylized looks.
One thing to note: show confirmations typically come in just one week (or even a few days) before the event. This uncertainty is part of the process—you plan, book, and organize everything without a guarantee of attendance. I’ve learned to accept this unpredictability and focus on creating, being inspired, and enjoying the experience, regardless of the outcome.
Building the Vision
Once I’ve reached out to my contacts, I wait to hear back, and soon, packages start arriving. I unbox and organize the clothing on racks, preparing for fittings. During this stage, I envision the story I want to tell. I think of Fashion Week as an editorial spread—what is my vibe? What am I trying to express? I use Canva to create mood boards, helping me fine-tune the overall aesthetic and direction.
Styling and Fittings
The fitting process is intensive and time-consuming. I try on various looks, taking mirror selfies to see what works and what doesn’t. I allow myself enough time to get items tailored or reach out for pieces that might be missing. During this period, I also permit myself a small budget for one statement piece that resonates with me. This season it was this beauty. Although Paris is a shopper’s paradise, I rarely buy anything there because attending Fashion Week is already a significant investment.
Here are images from my September 2024’s fitting
And here is February 2024’s fitting
For this collage I use Diptic.
Final Preparations
About one week before departure, I typically receive confirmations from the houses about the shows I’ll be attending. Once the looks are sent to me, I do my final fittings and begin packing. Packing is an art form, and I’m very particular about what makes it into my suitcase. I carefully curate my wardrobe, ensuring each piece aligns with my vision and fits seamlessly into my editorial narrative.
I’m looking forward to creating, being inspired, and meaningful moments amidst the fashion frenzy.
Can’t wait for alllll your looks
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻