But as Fenwick writes in the introduction: Etiquette is based on tradition, and yet it can change.
But whatarethese rules, exactly?
In this months edition of Oh Behave,Voguededicates the column to all things fashion week.
Can you cut the line at check-in?
Can you steal a front-row seat if its vacant?
Their thoughts on how to behave at fashion week, below.
Joana Avillez
Vogue:Can you ever ask to attend a show youre not invited to?
Yaeger:Of course it’s possible for you to ask!
It’s totally fine.
Why wouldn’t it be?
Gvishiani:When I launched my page, I had to request basically 90% of my show invites.
But these days, Im super lucky.
Im honored and privileged that mostly the invitations come before I request them.
It may change one day, but so far, its good.
Can you ever use your boss invitation?
Yaeger:You have to tell somebody.
You could say, I have Nicole [Phelpss] ticket, because she cant make it.
Its better to tell.
Should you wear the designer to a show as a sign of support?
Yaeger:Well, that would mean that you had those clothes, right?
In an ideal world, yes.
No, Im not an influencer.
Thats for a silly person.
Thats not for a grown-up.
Gvishiani:Honestly, 99% of the time I wont accept.
Ill say thanks but that I will go with my own clothes because I dont have time to change.
I dont want to feel pressured to think about my outfit.
And mostly they understand and they never push.
Should you change outfits between shows?
Yaeger: No, Im not an influencer.
Thats for a silly person.
Thats not for a grown-up.
Do you wear comfortable shoes during fashion week?
Yaeger:I always wear comfortable shoes no matter what week it is.
I dont have any uncomfortable shoes.
I love beautiful shoes but its comfort all the way, especially in the middle of fashion week.
I just do not care how I look.
How late is it too late to turn up to a show?
Yaeger: You should attempt to be on time but there are always unforeseen circumstances.
So instead, we took the girl backstage because we had to give her some experience, you know?
And, of course, all the models are standing around with no clothes on backstage.
But then Sally pleaded with the Burberry show and we did get her into the Burberry show.
Anyway, that really happened.
Whats the next question?
[to do that].
At this point, I feel like brands should start the show and not wait for anyone.
I dont think Hillary at Collina Strada is going to get mad if you bring a pussycat.
She might kill me for saying that.
Lynn Yaeger
Can you move seats if theres a better, vacant one available?
Yaeger:Do you want a funny story?
Many, many years ago.
Mickey Boardman and I were at a show and we sort of didnt have good seats.
It wasnt like the PR ushered us into those seats, as they sometimes do.
So we just thought,Oh, we can probably sit there.
So we scurried out of those seats!
So can you take your bosss invitation?
Only if only if you tell the PR!
Gvishiani:No, its my rule.
One time, a PR moved me and the guest arrived and I was in a super awkward situation.
This guest thought that I took their place.
I went back to my seat and it was already occupied by someone else.
It really creates an awkward moment.
You have to double check with the PRif itsreallyan empty seat, then its okay.
Can you give away an invitation if youre unable to attend?
Yaeger:Depends on the show.
He needs that seat for a real person.
So in general, no.
But I always email the PR in advance.
Can you bring a pet or a kid to a fashion show?
Yaeger:Well, people do both.
Obviously, the kid has to sit on your lap or something.
A pet, I’m not sure.
Seems like the sort of thing someone would do in London, doesnt it?
It depends on the show.
If its a cute little hipster show in the East Village with hipster kids, youre probably fine.
She might kill me for saying that.
Gvishiani:I think pets are quite welcomed.
Its always nice to see them at the shows.
Rather than a fancy invite, send us a digital invite and give us good AC.
Style Not Com
Should you introduce yourself to the people seated to your left and right?
Yaeger:Depends on if they look nice or if they look kind of snobby.
Its a really great icebreaker because generally Im super shy to make the first step.
Sometimes some people may think Im rude or Im ignoring them, but its the opposite.
Are you obligated to have a conversation with fellow showgoers before the show starts?
Youre making me dread the whole experience and it hasnt even started yet!
Gvishiani:I mean, you might always exchange a word or two!
Can you bother a celebrity at a show?
Ask for a selfie?
Yaeger:Absolutely not.
My dad was a stagehand in television and a theatrical stagehand.
He was around famous people all the time.
He said, you never bother those people.
Gvishiani:This is what my friends ask me all the time!
It really depends on the situation.
How do you balance capturing content vs. taking it in with your own eyes?
Yaeger:I dont understand the question.
If a show is requesting no photos, taking them is verboten, right?
Yaeger:Im very pre-internet.
I dont take photos.
No pictures, words.
And I really enjoyed it so much.
To watch just with my eyes and just for my pleasure.
Can you give a bad review?
Yaeger:Oh, thats such a hard question.
You should not be cavalier about this.
You should be very sensitive and as supportive as you might be.
So I learned my lesson.
Gvishiani:My content is very factual and I like to speak between the lines.
People who know me can understand my position on things based on punctuation marks, my commas.
Id rather not shame someone and there is no way that you cannot findsomethingpositive.
Can you critique the collection with your seatmate in real time?
Yaeger:Im a very bad girl with thatpeople want me to shut up.
I also make faces and people say, People can see you make faces.
yo stop making those faces!
This is bad, bad behavior on my part.
Should you always applaud the finale?
Yaeger:Yes, of course.
Gvishiani:Yes, always.
I have a really loud clap.
Some people have even said, Oh my God, how do you generate this sound?
Once I was absolutely starving and had a bag of potato chips before Joseph Altuzarra started.
It was at night.
Yaeger:You should not.
I mean, maybe you’re free to have a drink?
Once I was absolutely starving and had a bag of potato chips before Joseph Altuzarra started.
It was at night.
Can you skip a show without notifying the organizers if youre going to be late and miss it?
Gvishiani:No, its unprofessional for me.
So the only time its okay to not notify is if youre missing a phone?
Gvishiani:Yes, or dead.
Can you complain about your seat to the fashion show PR?
I have done that and Ive always been ashamed of myself.
Ive done it on a couple of occasions, and then you realize what a jerk you seem like.
One time at Comme des Garcons, Simone Rocha did not have a seat.
And I said, Simone, I cant believe you have standing room!
And she looked at me and she said, I dont care, Im rock and roll!
And I thought that was so fabulous.
Gvishiani:No, I never did.
Because I think that they know best where to put me.
Is it ever ok to cut the line at a show if you know the PR?
Yaeger:Yeah, I do that.
Plus, Im old.
Im rude and I cut.
I dont wait in line, I go right to the front and thats what I do.
See, Im not perfect.
Gvishiani:Again, my cap really helps me.
If they see me in my cap and they ask me to move forward, I will.
The few times I forgot my cap, people dont always recognize me.
Once, I wore another cap, and someone said, Oh my god, youre hiding!
Style Not Com
If you have to give your name to a PR checking-in guests, are you offended?
Yaeger:Im hurt when people want my name or want me to spell my name.
The teenager at the door who doesnt know you are.
Yeah, it hurts, you know?
Gvishiani:The few times I forgot my cap, people dont always recognize me.
Once, I wore another cap, and someone said, Oh my god, youre hiding!
Whats the worst behavior youve witnessed at a show?
Yaeger:I dont even want to tell you.
This little kid, like a four-year-old, took a peepee on the floor.
But you dont wanna put that in, do you?
The PR then came up to me to say, Welcome to fashion!
What makes for a good fashion week-goer?
Yaeger:If theyre on time and they dont steal seats.
They dont cut the line like I do.
Whats a no-no for fashion week-goers?
For many people, its a big dream to be there.
Or running out super earlybut we never know, maybe someone died and they just found out.
Whats a no-no for fashion show organizers?
Yaeger:Not to show a hundred lookswell get the idea.
A show thats too long is a show thats too long.
Horrifically late starts because then the next show is all screwed up and the whole day is screwed up.
Gvishiani:Air conditioning!
Oh my god, this is the subject that I will always call out every designer on.
This is really annoying.
Rather than a fancy invite, send us a digital invite and give us good AC, like.
70 minutes late is too much!
At this point, I feel like brands should start the show and not wait for anyone.
Style Not Com on tardy celebrities
Subway or taxi?
Yaeger:Subways way faster, but you know, I always want a car.
Gvishiani:In New York, I dont really know the subway.
Ive only been twice but this time I will try.
If a street style photographer seems like they want to take your photos, do you stop?
Yaeger:Yes, Im flattered and Im happy to have my picture taken.
Do you ask where the photos end up?
Yaeger:No and, in fact, I never see all these photos that people take.
I don’t know where they end up.
When do you eat during fashion week?
Do you make a point to stop for lunch?
Yaeger:I have a go at force my colleagues to stop for lunch but sometimes they dont.
Usually, when I get home, if Im writing, Ill just get takeout.
I dont find a fashion week dinner during fashion week the greatest thing ever.
But I mean, let’s think back to those Joseph Altuzarra potato chipsits bad planning on my part.
And if I make it, I make it.
Its always good to have the reservation.
Do you carry a bag?
And if so, whats in it?
And Im not sure I like it.
I always want a new fashion week bag.
Ive been struggling with this, okay?
Gvishiani:I always carry a small bag, especially if Im moving by taxi.
Maybe Tic Tacs and maybe a bar of chocolate for a super emergency situation.
