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September 20, 2006

New York Fashion Week Spring 2007 Wrap-Up: You know you’re in it for the swag

So, another fashion week, another swag post. In keeping with the tradition of spring being the lesser important of the fashion weeks, the swag count this cycle was a little less than last time (at least, we hope that’s because of the seasonality), and the press bag was much less exciting than last season (what was up with the sexual stimulation lotion in this year’s bag?). Still, our (well, my) estimated swag grab is just above $450, making all that waiting in line worth while.

    How to Score Swag…

If you are just in it for the swag (or if the swag will be the deciding factor in which shows you attend), here’s the lowdown on picking the shows where you’ll score the best goods:

Find out who is sponsoring the show

  • Cosmetics companies are sure to give out some goodies (lipgloss is always a fave) and hair care companies love to give out whole caches of products; avoid shows where the sponsors don’t make items that can be wrapped in tissue paper—while I’m sure the Greek tourism board made generous sponsors for Vlassis Holevas, all they gave to the crowd was a booklet on Greek food (not even with recipes!) and a promotional DVD of making your own myth in Greece
  • Besides show sponsors, find out if a designer is coming out with a new fragrance line or accessories line—chances are they’ll give out some samples (or a whole bottle, as Nanette Lepore did last February) to promote the new merch

    • Smaller names=bigger gift bags

  • As a general rule, smaller designers give out better stuff to lure more people to the shows, this is probably a function of space: the smaller the space and fewer the guests, the easier it is to provide swag for all, and the that the PR firms who represent these designers are usually smaller shops who aren’t overstretched and can deliver some quality goods
  • Rodebjer (repped by W29 Showroom), whose offsite show was held a day before fashion week even began, gave away the best bag we got (see below for contents)
  • Smaller shows are much more likely to have bags for everyone, not just the first two rows

    • Park your ass in a seat

  • You can’t get a gift bag if you are standing in the back—if you haven’t been assigned a seat, there are always free seats when a show starts, just scope out a spot next to the aisle and be ready to grab your seat when the PR types give the okay

    • Leftovers are for the taking, but please have some swag dignity

  • If someone abandons their gift bag after the show, might as well take it for yourself (someone will)—but please, only do so if you don’t already have a bag, and do it with a bit of discretion—and never, ever take a bag on a seat that is yet to be claimed (I’ve had my bag swiped before getting to my seat, and it’s just. not. cool.)
  • Celebs and celebutantes generally don’t take their gift bags with them (it’s beneath them or something), so get it for yourself—when someone else swiped my bag at Michon Schur (again, so. not. cool.), I picked up Mischa Barton’s orphaned bag with a Nars lipgloss set

    • So, what’s in our swag bag?

  • Rodebjer: scarf, scented candle, MAC lipglosses and eyeshadow, glass blown bathing suit (pencil holder?) sculpture from Swedish artist
  • Nicole Miller: spring scarf in Mayan print
  • Mary Ping: free breakfast—might not be swag to some, but after a hectic night of shows, definitely a treat!
  • Heatherette: CD of the new Kelis single (she walked in the show), 50% off certificate for a facial/body treatment at Manhattan spa
  • Atil Kotuglu: porcelain hand painted plate from Turkish Artist
  • Jason Wu: Brizo necklace
  • Dragana Ognevovic: handbag bag (for packing, storing handbags)
  • Zac Posen: MAC lipglosses, Darphin Paris anti-aging creams and Artec Textureline hair gel
  • Temperly London: scented candle
  • Michon Schur: Nars lipgloss set of three
  • Jay McCarroll: Aveda large samples (shampoo, conditioner, body wash) in Rosemary Mint (my fave), Nars lipgloss
  • Jeremy Scott: Rusk professional collection hair care set with six gels/sprays/mousses/etc
  • Bill Blass: pencil (and a swirly paper clip)… I haven’t included other shows where the swag was lame, but thought this was kinda funny

    • Also… lots of Altoid gum and mints, gourmet popcorn and several nail polishes from People’s Revolution shows… it was pretty funny to see people at these shows scooping up extra bags just to realize all they got was popcorn and a Budweiser pamphlet.

    And that is how we do it.

    ALI MANNING

    ali-manning

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