The Journal
How to Get Invited to a Coachella Brand Trip
Let’s be honest: being flown out to Coachella by a brand, put up in a dreamy house in Palm Springs, dressed head to toe in sponsored looks and fed fancy cocktails in a branded cabana is influencer gold dust. But these trips aren’t just handed out to anyone with a ring light and a decent engagement rate. Here’s what it actually takes to land a brand trip to Coachella, and what to expect if you get the golden ticket. Step One: Focus on the Right Brands Not every brand is active at Coachella. You’ll want to do your homework and hone in on the ones that are known for going big during the festival. Start with these heavy hitters: Revolve: Their annual Revolve Festival is basically Coachella’s glossier cousin. It’s invite-only, influencer-packed, and one of the most photographed events of the weekend. Poppi: The soft drink brand pulled off a major activation in 2024, with custom installations and TikTok-worthy branding. YouTube, NYX, Amazon, Rhode Skin and Poosh all had a big presence at Coachella 2024 too. Follow these brands, engage with their content, and start incorporating them naturally into your own posts. If you’re already a customer, even better. Show that you’re already a fan before they ever approach you. Step Two: Start Making Coachella Content Now You don’t need to be in the desert to make Coachella content. Start by creating: Festival-inspired outfits: Include shoppable links, tag relevant brands, and post outfit reels or carousel grids. Beauty looks for the desert: Think glowy skin, bold liner, longwear lipstick. Tutorials perform especially well here. Your Coachella moodboard: Pinterest-style roundups, IG stories, or even a saved highlight can all help show brands you’re ready for a trip. The goal is to show you already fit the Coachella aesthetic. You want to look like someone who should be there. Step Three: Get Strategic with Hashtags and Tagging When you post Coachella-relevant content, use hashtags like: #Coachella2025 #RevolveFestival #CoachellaStyle #FestivalSeason #PalmSpringsVibes Tag the brands directly. Tag the location, tag the stylist, tag the PR agency if you know it. Make it as easy as possible for someone scouting talent to find your post and your profile. Step Four: Be Loud but Polished Reach out to brands directly. Send a concise email pitch to the influencer marketing or PR contact. Your message should: Show familiarity with their past Coachella presence Include your audience stats and past brand collabs Suggest how you could bring their brand to life at the festival Make sure your media kit is ready to go, includes case studies if possible, and shows you’re professional, organised and easy to work with. What Happens If You Get Invited? Brand trips to Coachella tend to follow a pretty similar format: You’ll fly into Palm Springs or LA: Brands usually cover flights and arrange transport to your accommodation. You’ll stay in a shared influencer villa: Think stunning house, private chef, a dedicated glam team, poolside branding, the lot. You’ll be given a schedule: This will include outfit deadlines, scheduled content times (e.g. shoot this look at 11am), parties you need to attend, and occasional brand briefings. You’ll be expected to post: Stories, reels, GRWMs, brand tags, outfit credits. Some brands will even want you to post live from the festival. Brand Trip Etiquette: Do Not Be That Person Stick to the deliverables. If they ask for 3 reels, 5 stories and 1 carousel, don’t go rogue. Respect the schedule. If there’s a content slot at 9am, you can’t be missing because you stayed out all night at Neon Carnival. Be low maintenance. These trips are meant to be fun, but the teams running them are working hard. Don’t make their lives harder. Want to Be Invited Again? Here’s How: Deliver more than what was asked Be kind, helpful and professional to staff, PRs and other influencers Tag brands beyond the trip and keep the relationship warm throughout the year Send a follow-up email after the trip with results and a thank you Youtube Playlist Recs Get a behind-the-scenes look at what a Coachella brand trip is actually like: • Coachella Week! Let’s Go to Coachella for a Brand Trip (YouTube) • My First Brand Trip Living in a House with Influencers (YouTube) Coachella isn’t just about getting the shot in front of the Ferris wheel anymore, it’s a business opportunity, a networking event, and a way to cement your status as a serious content creator. Play it right, and you won’t just go once. You’ll be top of the list for years to come.
How to Get Yourself Invited to Fashion Week
Fashion Week, the holy grail of the fashion industry. A week of runway shows, exclusive events, designer showcases, and major networking opportunities for those who manage to secure an invite. But how do you actually get invited if you’re an influencer? Do you need millions of followers or a personal connection to a top designer? Absolutely not. With the right strategy, a polished pitch, and smart networking, you can get yourself on the list. Here’s everything you need to know to get invited to Fashion Week, make the most of it, and navigate it like a pro. 1. How Fashion Week Invitations Work Before we dive into how to get invited, let’s talk about who sends out invites and what types of events happen during Fashion Week. Who Controls Fashion Week Invites? Fashion brands & designers: They invite influencers, press, and VIP guests to their runway shows. Fashion magazines: Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and ELLE host private parties and networking events. Retailers & showrooms: High-end retailers like Selfridges hold private previews. Fashion sponsors & beauty brands: Companies like MAC, Swarovski, and BVLGARI host invite-only activations. Types of Invitations Influencers Can Get: Runway show invites (Front row for VIPs, general seating for influencers) Showroom & private previews (Great for content creation) Afterparties & networking events (Ideal for meeting industry insiders) Brand pop-ups & activations (Often more accessible for newer influencers) Now that you know what to aim for, let’s talk about how to get yourself on those guest lists. 2. Find and Email the Right People A common mistake influencers make? Emailing PR agencies instead of brand PR teams. Most Fashion Week guest lists are managed in-house, meaning you need to contact the brand’s PR team directly. Find and email brand PR teams responsible for Fashion Week invites Personalise your pitch (avoid generic requests) Follow up professionally if you don’t hear back Timing Tip: Start pitching 4-6 weeks before Fashion Week, guest lists fill up fast! 3. How to Write the Perfect Fashion Week Pitch Once you have the right PR contact, your pitch needs to make an impact. Example Email Template: Subject: Fashion Week Attendance Request Hi (Brand PR’s Name), I hope you’re well! My name is (Your Name), and I’m a fashion influencer/content creator with (X followers) on Instagram/TikTok. I love (Brand’s Name) and have previously featured (mention any past content). I’d love the opportunity to attend your (Fashion Week Show / Presentation) and create engaging content for my audience, who are highly engaged with (specific niche, e.g., luxury fashion, street style, sustainable brands). Please let me know if there’s availability to attend, and I’d be happy to provide audience insights or past Fashion Week coverage. Looking forward to hearing from you! Best,(Your Name)(Your Social Media Links) Pro Tip: If you’ve previously attended Fashion Week or worked with a brand, attach your media kit or relevant content links. 4. Think Beyond Runway Shows: Magazine Parties, Pop-Ups & Afterparties If you don’t land a runway show invite, there are plenty of other Fashion Week events that are just as valuable. Magazine-Hosted EventsFashion magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and ELLE host VIP afterparties and networking events. Brand Pop-Ups & ActivationsLuxury retailers (Selfridges, Net-a-Porter) often set up invite-only experiences where influencers can meet designers, preview collections, and create content. Fashion Week AfterpartiesMany top brands and sponsors (like MAC, Dior, and BVLGARI) host private parties where you can connect with designers, models, and other influencers. How to Get Invited: Engage with brands & magazines on social media before Fashion Week Sign up for event waitlists (sometimes spots open last-minute) When pitching PR teams, ask if they’re hosting any events, not just runway shows 5. What to Expect at Fashion Week (And How to Handle It Like a Pro) So, you’ve secured an invite, what happens next? 1. Dress the PartFashion Week is a visual event. Think statement pieces, polished styling, and camera-ready outfits. 2. Be Ready for Constant Content CreationFrom the moment you arrive, expect street-style photographers, backstage moments, and non-stop networking. 3. Arrive Early, But Expect DelaysFashion shows rarely start on time, but seating is first-come, first-served. Arrive at least 30 minutes early. 4. Network, Network, NetworkWhether you’re at a show, a party, or a pop-up, introduce yourself. Connect with PR teams, stylists, and fellow influencers. 5. Follow Fashion Week Etiquette Be polite & professional, guest lists are invite-only for a reason Don’t ask for plus-ones unless explicitly stated Avoid filming entire shows (quick clips are fine, but full recordings aren’t encouraged) Tag brands, designers, and event hosts when posting content 6. What to Do If You’re Just Getting Started in the Industry Don’t have invites this season? Here’s how to still be part of Fashion Week: 1. Attend as a Street Style CreatorBeing outside venues can still get you noticed. Photographers love capturing stylish influencers outside the shows. 2. Create Fashion Week-Themed ContentPost trend reports, styling videos, or recaps of past Fashion Weeks to show brands that you’re engaged with the event. 3. Start Small with Emerging DesignersMajor brands might be out of reach at first, but new designers need coverage. Look for off-schedule events and showroom presentations. 4. Build Relationships for Next SeasonEven if you don’t attend this year, network with PR teams and brands now. The connections you make this season could lead to invites next time. Fashion Week invites aren’t just for celebrities, they’re for influencers who position themselves strategically, network smartly, and offer value. Email brand PR teams directly Pitch yourself professionally with a strong, personalised email Don’t just aim for runway shows, explore magazine events, pop-ups, and afterparties Think outside the box, attend as a street-style creator, work with emerging brands, or start networking early With the right approach, this season could be your first Fashion Week invite, but it won’t be your last.