This is how you get in without a ticket at a show

People always think that for me as the fashion chief of Elle, the red carpet was rolled out at every show. Often it was, but not always. Or I might have had a ticket, but my fashion editor did not. Over the years, I found my ways around that because I am certainly not easy to catch.

Trick 1 Cut, paste

In my fashion week suitcase, there was always a pair of scissors, a few good pens, pencils, a fountain pen (many invitations are calligraphed), a large pot of Tipp Ex, and a gold and a silver marker. If a colleague had that coveted ticket for Chanel, I would go to the copy shop, have it copied, Tipp Ex out the name, copy it again, paste it on sturdy cardboard, and then fill in my own name with a fountain pen, marker, or whatever came closest to the original invitation. A bit of crafting, but that has always been a hobby of mine.

Trick 2 I’m on the list

At some point, you know who is definitely invited to the show. Make sure to choose someone who is not too famous because the doorman knows you are not. Anna Wintour But a journalist from a major foreign newspaper is a great alternative. Say that you forgot your invite, put on your most confident and bordering on arrogance look and say that you are on the list. Tip: practice spelling the last name beforehand. The W is for Washington, the I for India, the N for November, the T for Tango, the O for Oscar, the U for Uniform, and the R for Romeo. It should roll off the tongue smoothly, otherwise, you’ll be caught immediately.

Trick 3 Pass it on

Have a good talk with a colleague who has a ticket. She walks in front, you right behind her. When she shows her ticket to the strict doormen, she hands it under the table to you. Your hands cross each other at the level of the hip. It’s always so busy before a show that no one will see this. I would keep your sunglasses on. Usually, these kinds of actions are a bit exciting, and that can easily give away your nerves.

Trick 4 Emailing and bluffing

In New York you receive many invites digitally. The doormen scan the code, and then you get a printout with your seat number. You can ask your colleagues who have an invite to forward their email to you. When the doorman scans the code, it will turn red, and the computer will say that this seat is already taken. Then play the innocent and say that this happens to you all the time during fashion week. Bet he’ll still let you through?

Trick 5 You take the envelope, you take the ticket

Do you only have one invitation and want to go in as a pair? Let one keep the invitation and give the other the envelope. If the doorman asks about the contents, you say: Oh dear, you say, that’s still with my driver in the car. Bet you’ll get in? the fashion week lasts until Wednesday, I would say; go baby go.