It is officially less than two weeks until GFW18 which means little time left to prepare all of the last minute’s essentials. We have combined and provided some top tips and tricks to guarantee you utilise all of the benefits from our exhibition extravaganza. Remember, GFW18 is there to ease the transition from education to employment, so make sure to speak to everyone, attend all the talks and really make the most out of the experience!
Bring business cards
Whether you are a student showcasing at GFW, or just a student wanting to experience the shows and exhibition, it is always a good idea to carry business cards around with you. GFW is the ideal location to meet industry professionals, giving you the opportunity to introduce and promote yourself. Your business card is a way for you to stand out and to advertise your confidence, as well as drive traffic to your website. Make sure to collect business cards from those you speak to, so you can follow up interesting meetings with an email!
Network, network, network
GFW is designed to prepare graduates for the demanding world of fashion, and speaking to professionals already in the industry is the best way to calm the nerves. There is always a diverse range of guests that can advise, support and nurture students including celebrity designers, course lecturers, bloggers, buyers and more. Asking questions is the best way to get advice, from those that know how to be successful.
Visit stands and get involved in sponsor competitions
The university and sponsor stands are a huge part of our exhibition, and they are there for guests and graduates to observe and interact. University stands are designed to showcase students work that are not showing in our catwalk shows, there is a vast range from garment collections, magazines, websites, portfolios plus plenty in addition to this. If you are interested in a course outside of design, the lecturers are on hand on the university stands. Sponsors are also a huge part of our event, and their stands involve interactive activities are competitions for everyone with wonderful prizes on offer. From internships to design competitions, participating is a great way to differentiate yourself from the crowd.
Attend GFW live talks and meet the professionals
The GFW Live Talks are the most educational part of our event that really give our guests an insight into working in the industry. The talks are conducted by a well recognised professionals accompanied by specialised industry experts. There will be lots to learn from each talk, with all talks offering a unique judgement and incomparable knowledge. It will be definitely worth bringing a notebook and pen! Check out the GFW Live! schedule, here.
We hope you are as excited for GFW18 as we are, and can now be fully prepared to get the most out of the four days of exhibitions, shows and competitions! If you haven't already purchased your tickets, they start from just £8, here.
Words by Amber Whitaker