What It Costs

Before you look at the specific costs to attend Couture Fashion Week, it is important to point out that it is unique that you can even pay to get in. Most other fashion week shows are exclusively for the fashion industry with very few opportunities for outsiders to get past security.

Tickets for the couture shows can be bought in different configurations. The most affordable option is to attend just one show and to purchase “standing room.” The rooms are configured with the seats set up in a few long rows that span the length of the runway and the standing area is generally behind the seats. This allows people in this section to get a great view, and since the shows are short, it often isn’t uncomfortable to stand for them.

• Standing room for one show is $40.
• Standing room at all of the shows in one day (which is typically six runway events plus entertainment) is $130.
• Standing room at all three days of shows is $380.

If you prefer to sit, you can pay for general admission seats, which will also afford you a good view, although you can expect to be situated behind the first few rows where VIP seating is.

• A general admission seat for one show is $75.
• A general admission seat for all of the shows in one day is $250.
• A general admission seat for all three days of shows is $735.

For people who want the prestige of sitting in the front row, where you can expect to mingle with celebrities, top editors and other important people in the fashion industry and will also have great unencumbered views to take photos of the models, you can pay for this privilege by buying a VIP seat.

• A VIP seat for one show is $150.
• A VIP seat for all of the shows in one day is $500.
• A VIP seat for all three days is $1,475.

Finally, if money is no object and you want to go all out, you can purchase a package deal that includes front row seating, limousine transportation, a backstage tour and photos with the designers and models and inclusion at the special receptions and dinner events.

• This package for one day is $1600.
• This package for all three days is $4,800.

So the price to attend can range from $40 for standing room at one show to $4,800 for special treatment during all three days of events.

(It is worth noting, however, that all of the prices are subject to change each season.)

A Final Note

If you regularly flip through the pages of high-end fashion magazines, websites and society pages to see what celebrities are wearing, you may have noticed that when they have on couture items, this is usually indicated in photograph captions. While the prices are usually not advertised for couture clothing, you can expect that these items can cost in the thousands.