To some it may seem a little daunting attending London Fashion Week for the first time. Not only is there a lot going on, it’s located in the heart of the capital, which is busy on the best of days – never mind when there’s a huge event taking place.
To state that I was nervous is a bit of an understatement. I have travelled to London by myself on a number of occasions, but this was my first time attending LFW and it was a little nerve-wracking to say the least. Here are a few things that I learnt after attending London Fashion Week for the first time…
Learn to be flexible
It is always good to be organised, especially when you’re going to something for the first time. Making lists, a schedule, printing out information and maps is essential (don’t just rely on your phone’s GPS!). However, one thing to remember, especially when attending London Fashion Week, is to be flexible. It is easy to panic or feel a little stressed if things don’t go to plan. Sometimes you just have to relax and roll with the punches. Things may take longer than you expected or things might not be as worth your while as you hoped. The key is to let it go and realise that it’s not the end of the day if you only managed to see one thing on your list. Work with what you’ve got and enjoy yourself.
Take your time
During London Fashion Week, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed. There’s a lot to see and do. Make sure that that you take your time, though. Don’t rush around one thing, thinking about which train you need to get in order to get to your next scheduled event. Live in the moment and appreciate what you are doing right there and then. Chat to people, take pictures and absorb what’s going on right in front of you. You’ll find that you take more in, the more time you spend focused on what you’re doing.
Venture beyond the main ‘hub’ of the event
Although London Fashion Week has a central hub for events, catwalks and design showrooms, there is so much more going on in and around the city. Oxford Street in particular had a lot of different things going on in their stores. It’s a great way to experience a different side of Fashion Week. It’s nice to know that it isn’t all about ‘way out there’ fashion with ridiculous price tags. There are also affordable fashion pieces on the high street that have been inspired by Fashion Week trends – and you will definitely feel comfortable wearing them!
Bring along a portable charger
It is a given that your phone battery is not going to last even one day at London Fashion Week. Whether I was updating social media, looking at my schedule, using City Mapper to get from place to place, checking my emails or just checking the time, it’s safe to say that I was on my phone constantly. Thankfully I did take a couple of portable chargers with me, but I would also take advantage of any plug socket you see, even if it is just for a ten-minute splash of juice.
Remember you’re not alone
One thing I was most nervous about before heading down to LFW, was doing it on my own. I had never been before, I didn’t know what to expect and I felt quite anxious at the thought of having to figure it all out by myself. But actually, it ended up being absolutely fine. A lot of people are by themselves, and because it is so busy, you barely notice that you’re on your own. Loads of people were more than happy to help in terms of directions, advising on what to see and do, and even take a few pictures.
