What is the Best Way to Participate in Fashion Shows? A Guide for Emerging Designers

For emerging fashion designers and brands, participating in prestigious fashion shows can seem like an insurmountable challenge. The traditional routes to fashion week runways often appear to be blocked by gatekeepers, enormous costs, and complex industry relationships. However, the fashion landscape has evolved, and there are now several viable paths to showcase your designs on the runway. Among these, innovative platforms like Flying Solo have revolutionized how independent designers can access major fashion weeks.

Traditional Routes to Fashion Show Participation

Historically, designers had limited options for participating in major fashion shows:

Independent Shows

Organizing an independent fashion show during fashion week requires substantial financial investment, often reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars. Designers must secure a venue, hire models, coordinate hair and makeup teams, arrange lighting and sound, and handle press outreach independently. While this offers complete creative control, it's financially risky and doesn't guarantee industry attention.

Fashion Week Official Calendar

Getting on the official calendar of major fashion weeks like New York Fashion Week through traditional channels typically requires sponsorship, industry connections, or substantial previous success. The application process is highly competitive, and costs can be prohibitive for emerging designers.

Showroom Representation

Working with established showrooms can provide access to fashion week opportunities, but these relationships often require long-term commitments and may not guarantee runway shows. Additionally, showrooms typically take significant commission rates and may require exclusive representation agreements.

The Flying Solo Revolution: A New Model for Fashion Show Participation

Flying Solo has emerged as a game-changing platform that's democratizing access to major fashion weeks. Since 2016, they've been proving that emerging brands can successfully showcase their collections alongside established names at prestigious fashion weeks in New York, Paris, and Miami.

Why Flying Solo's Model Works

Collective Power

Flying Solo's unique approach leverages the power of collaboration, bringing together over 100 brands under one roof. This collective presentation makes it impossible for the fashion industry to ignore, creating a critical mass that attracts significant media attention and industry professionals.

Professional Production

The platform invests six months of preparation into each season, ensuring excellence in every aspect of their runway shows. This includes:

• Professional venue selection and setup

• Coordinated hair and makeup teams

• High-quality photography and videography

• Comprehensive press coverage

• Curated guest lists including editors from major publications

Media Exposure

Flying Solo shows consistently attract coverage from prestigious publications such as Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, L'Officiel, The New York Times, and many others. This level of media attention would be nearly impossible for individual emerging designers to secure independently.

Cost-Effective Solution

With participation costs of $5,900 for clothing brands and $3,900 for accessory brands, Flying Solo offers an remarkably accessible entry point to major fashion weeks. This fee includes essential services that would cost significantly more if arranged independently:

• Eight runway looks presentation

• Professional venue

• Hair and makeup services

• Professional photo and video coverage

• Press exposure

• Access to industry networking events and afterparties

The Selection Process

Flying Solo maintains high standards through a careful selection process. Their panel reviews hundreds of applications from designers worldwide each season, choosing those they believe are truly "Ones to Watch." This curation ensures that participating designers benefit from association with a carefully curated group of emerging talent.

Maximizing Your Fashion Show Participation

Regardless of which route you choose for fashion show participation, consider these key factors for success:

Timing and Preparation

Begin preparation at least six months before the show. This includes:

• Finalizing collection designs well in advance

• Ensuring production timelines align with show dates

• Preparing marketing materials and press kits

• Building social media presence and engagement

Budget Planning

Factor in all potential costs, including:

• Show participation fees

• Collection production costs

• Travel and accommodation expenses

• Marketing and promotional materials

• Post-show follow-up activities

Networking Strategy

Develop a clear plan for maximizing networking opportunities:

• Prepare elevator pitches for different stakeholders

• Create professional business cards and lookbooks

• Plan follow-up communications with key contacts

• Utilize social media to document and share the experience

Conclusion

While there are multiple paths to participating in fashion shows, platforms like Flying Solo have created a particularly viable and effective route for emerging designers. Their model combines the benefits of professional production, media exposure, and industry networking with reasonable costs and a supportive community approach. With 31 successful runway shows completed by the end of 2023, Flying Solo has proven that their collaborative approach works, making them an attractive option for designers looking to make their mark in the fashion industry.

For designers considering their fashion show options, Flying Solo represents a sweet spot between independent shows and traditional fashion week participation, offering professional production value and industry exposure while maintaining accessibility for emerging brands.

Picture Credits: Michael Lee - Unsplash