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What it’s really like going to Fashion Week

  • Ivona Josipovic
  • 26 February 2016

New York, London, Milan, Paris. For about a month twice a year the fashion world packs their lives into a suitcase (or five) and travel around the globe going from one fashion capital to another. New collections are presented and all eyes are on the models and their long legs in the latest pieces. New trends and tendencies are shown, some new faces are discovered and a ton of photos are taken. It all looks very glamorous, fun and fab, but what it it really like going to fashion week? We tell you our story.

fashion week
That time we met Lynn Yaeger in Stockholm

So Doina and me have been quite fortunate to attend Stockholm Fashion Week and Fashion Week Milan. There was a huge difference between the two, and I remember just how surprised we were by the whole experience. As you maybe know, we are based in Stockholm and Milan so it was natural to visit fashion weeks in these cities. Here are some of the things that happened to us and that reveal a more real side of fashion week where it’s not all glitter and rainbows, but more like sweat and uncomfortable shoes.

The not so glamorous side of traveling (don't ask about all the bags)
The not so glamorous side of traveling (don’t ask about all the bags)

So our FW adventures started in 2012 while we were studying in Milan, but back then we would usually either work back stage or try to sneak into the show (there were no fancy invitations for us yet). What we discovered with our classmates is that sometimes you can talk the doorman into letting you in, or sometimes if you come a bit late and you have the right attitude you can just walk right in, no questions asked (trust me, it’s a true story). The first show we attended “normally” was for Elena Miro and it was incredible. Just being there and witnessing the whole thing felt so surreal. Talking about surreal, the amount of photographers capturing street style was crazy!! In Milan they would block the whole street and you couldn’t help but to laugh at the situation. Still, no matter how ridiculous it all seems your ego gets a little boost every time the camera is pointed at you. Of course the crazier your outfit the better, at least in Milan. Stockholm is probably world’s capital of minimalism, so street style stars here tend to dress a bit differently. I feel the photographers mostly capture the faces they already know, which are great, but we might need some fresh faces too. Although the fashion week in Stockholm is not as ‘popular’ as the one in Milan, I still like it more. Everything is waaaaay better organised, the locations of the show are always quite close to each other so there is no much crazy traffic like in Milan. Everything just seems to go much smoother and there’s way less stress. There was this show in Milan in 2013 where we didn’t get in (and we had the invitations, I swear!) and something like that would NEVER happen in Stockholm. Also, people tend to have more casual outfits and attitudes so if you prefer a bit more drama Milan is better for you.

Still, regardless if it’s Milan, New York, Stockholm or Belgrade, fashion week is fun, but it’s also a lot of work. It is a fabulous week filled with the best outfits on and off the runway, but it takes a lot of time and energy and it’s good it only happens twice per year. We need time in-between to recharge before the fashion madness starts again.

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Ivona Josipovic

Ivona Josipovic is a co-founder of The Smoke Detector, writer, fashion stylist, social media manager, curious creature, chocolate lover.

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12 comments
  1. deborah says:
    27 February 2016 at 01:15

    It would be such a dream to attend to some FW show in Milan or Stockholm. Each fashion capital has its own (street)style, and Milan is for sure one of the most dramatic ones! But all of them are so vibrant and exciting on their own way. Thanks for sharing this with us, dear!
    xx

    http://www.stylebydeb.com

    Reply
  2. Pisa says:
    28 February 2016 at 18:27

    Great post dear! The fw is fun, but also hard work! Thank you for sharing this honest post! ❤
    xx Pisa
    http://www.inlovewithmyclothes.com

    Reply
  3. Mia says:
    28 February 2016 at 20:22

    Thanks for sharing, i’ve never been and really wish i’ll be able to experience it one day…
    xx
    Mia

    ssenescence.blogspot.co.uk

    Reply
  4. Camille says:
    28 February 2016 at 21:36

    Great post, I would love to go to fashion week!

    Camille xo

    http://www.cococami.blogspot.co.uk

    Reply
  5. Diana says:
    1 March 2016 at 01:27

    Lynn has interesting make up

    http://www.queenhorsfall.com/

    Reply
  6. The Italian Glam says:
    1 March 2016 at 14:09

    Fashion weeks are always such a great experience, hope you had fun, girls
    kisses
    http://www.theitalianglam.com/

    Reply
  7. Melisa says:
    1 March 2016 at 14:44

    lovely post! love knowing the reality behind the fashion week glamour. been dying to go to mfw for so long<3
    http://www.rebelrebel.co x

    Reply
  8. Vishakha@Reviewwali says:
    1 March 2016 at 21:31

    It’s so good to be at fashion week. Have a great day ahead!
    http://www.reviewwali.com

    Reply
  9. Siffat Haider says:
    2 March 2016 at 02:20

    I’ve always wanted to attend Stockholm Fashion Week, everyone looks so chic and minimal! Fashion week can be so hectic though, i attend Toronto Fashion Week and by the end I feel like i need to sleep for a hundred hours to get over how stressful it all is lol!
    xo
    Siffat
    http://icingandglitter.com

    Reply
  10. FASHION TALES says:
    2 March 2016 at 16:15

    I think it would be brilliant to attend STOCKHOLM fashion week, I’ve never been to their fashion week. But, my sister lived in Sweden for a while and I do remember in the streets the fashion is very different, but in a good way.
    x/Madison
    Accessories

    Reply
  11. Amy Ann says:
    7 March 2016 at 20:12

    I went to NYFW for the first time this fall, and it was an amazing experience! So neat.

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

    Reply
  12. Catherine X says:
    25 March 2016 at 04:39

    It would be a dream to attend stockholm (or any) fashion week. Looks so hectic and chaotic, but i’m sure it’s worth it. Lovely post! 🙂

    http://www.thestylesynapse.com

    Reply

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