Recently I was asked for my "front row tips", and it got me thinking about how people behave at Fashion Week. Others want to believe the stereotype of fashion people as awful and stuck up, but that is, generally, untrue. Sure, there are the few who forget what the week is actually about - designers doing business, or at least marketing their business, not celebrities and egos and sponsorship pushes - but most are simply happy to be there supporting the hardworking designers and their teams.
But boy, do people love to complain. I'm so busy! The line-up is weak! The wi-fi is slow! I am not in the front row! So many fashion week problems.
I get it. It's easy to be cynical about fashion week. Hey, it's easy to be cynical about fashion in general. But let's all have a bit of perspective.
So. My front row tips? I don't care what shoes you're wearing, if you want to wear sunglasses or if you want to look through your goodie bag. Like everything in life, it's about being thankful and considerate. I'm not big on fashion 'rules', but a reminder of how to behave:
• No complaining about how much you hate fashion week.
• Don't complain about how busy you are. Everyone is busy!
• If you're there taking photos of people, don't assume that everyone is gagging to pose. Ask politely.
• If someone asks to take a photo of what you're wearing, you're allowed to decline - but do it politely.
• Watch the show! Not your screen.
• Never ask for a front row seat. This actually happens, and showcases the most unbearable side of fashion. Recently I was floored by a photo of Lucinda Chambers, the fashion director of British Vogue, sitting in the second row at a show. She was smiling. To reinterpret Margaret Thatcher's philosophy on being a lady: if you have to ask for the front row, you don't deserve to be there.
- VIVA
* Look for Viva fashion features editor Zoe Walker's weekly report every Thursday.
