Didn’t recognize most of the faces on the pink carpet at New York Fashion Week events? Chances are you’re just not spending enough time on TikTok.
While coveted spots on the carpet and in the entrance row were reserved for A-list celebrities for a long time, the visitor lists are changing to include social media influencers.
“This is a whole world that I didn’t even see a year ago,” said Deánna Giulietti, a Broadway-turned-TikTok star who lives in Harlem and has been invited to numerous Fashion Week celebrations . “Seeing these faces at the fashion events, which used to be considered completely inaccessible, I thought: ‘This is the future.’ ”
The 28-year-old attended TikTok last year because the pandemic ravaged the humanities in Manhattan and seems to be gaining recognition by exhibiting her day in and day out.
For Fashion Week she presented her outfit of the day to her 1.4 million followers – otherwise often referred to as “OOTD” or “oo-ta-dah”. She also covered her busy days and nights, from hosting an event for style college students to attending numerous exhibitions to seeing Paris Hilton DJ at a social gathering by Saks following G-Eazy. It is an ingredient that gave followers an insight into glamorous events that even Giulietti himself had by no means expected to be there.
“Bringing influencers into the mix gives you a different perspective,” said Caroline Vazzana, stylist and author of “Making It in Manhattan: The Beginner’s Guide To Surviving & Thriving in the World of Fashion.” “It’s like your best friend goes to fashion week and just shows you everything he does.”
Meet 5 different TikTokers who have presented contemporary appearances like at Fashion Week.
Influencer Remi Bader took part in the PatBo presentation. Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows
Known for her affordable outfits – her #remisrealistichauls have nearly 35 million views – the 26-year-old has attended events like PatBO, Staud and PrettyLittleThing. Additionally, while she was thrilled to be a part of it, Bader was disillusioned that there was a lack of inclusivity for curvier girls like her.
“Even if some of the larger retailers are making changes in the right direction, high-end fashion is not there yet,” she said.
Eli Rallo first made a name for herself on TikTok with snacks in glasses, now she reports on style events on the platform. Courtesy of Eli Rallo.
The journalist first made a name for herself on TikTok in 2020 by creating colorful, layered snack glasses. But after moving to the East Village, the 23-year-old started talking about her personal life and style. She went to Alice + Olivia and Rebecca Minkoff’s exhibitions and mentioned that she felt like a scam. But she remembered being invited and labels needed her there to share her expertise with her 273,000 followers.
“If you’re actually part of the industry and you understand marketing at its simplest, you know this is like the new wave and brands are getting so well known,” she said. “We can offer them something that is really valuable.”
David Burleson barely slept during Style Week between attending events and creating TikTok content. Getty Images
He became famous for his movie star impersonations and quirky person-on-the-street interviews online, but he wasn’t expecting to end up on NYFW.
He spent the week attending events for Bulgari, Revolve, and Tory Burch, documenting everything for his 355,000 TikTok followers. It made for a typically busy but glamorous schedule of partying with singer-songwriter Kim Petras at Saks until 3 a.m., and then waking up just a few hours later to cut films to set them up. But the great opportunities and camaraderie with the various content creators made it all expensive.
“It was really fun because all of the TikTokers are there together,” said the 19-year-old, who lives in the West Village. “We all do AirDrop videos to each other, we all record each other and then we broadcast them. We all look out for one another. “
Kennedy Eurich went from a farm in Pennsylvania to a Steve Madden mannequin with 895,000 TikTok followers.Photo courtesy of Kennedy Eurich.
The 21-year-old has won over 895,000 TikTok followers – and model gigs for Steve Madden – by simply being authentically herself.
“They have these insane bodies and you think, ‘How do I fit into this picture? As a random girl from rural Pennsylvania, how do I fit into New York Fashion Week and now I’m here? ‘ ”Mentioned Eurich, who lives in Pittsburgh and has attended events for Sherri Hill and various designers. “It’s definitely intimidating.”
Influencer Serena Kerrigan says the style isn’t dominated by skinny, wealthy, white girls. Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows
The 27-year-old is one of the top sellers of the online style retailer Revolve and is very aware of the changing occasions and her energy.
“I think fashion used to be really exclusive,” said Kerrigan, who has more than 353,000 TikTok followers. “It was for thin, white, rich women.”
But didn’t mention the West Village resident, who recognizes the special value she brings to labels. “The whole world has changed.”
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