VT Lead Stylist Lisa Marie McComb Shares Top 5 Fashion Week Style Rules

Ever wondered how fashion people pack for fashion week? And how do they manage to wear a few different looks to shows on the same day? Our own lead stylist Lisa Marie McComb, who gets photographed everywhere she goes, dishes her secrets and shows us what she wore to shows in Paris.

Lisa Marie McComb in Paris | Images courtesy of Getty Images, Marie Claire

Wearing the right looks at fashion week is all about preparation, some creativity, and those functional pieces that can be reused and transformed.

Here are a few rules I follow when dressing for fashion shows.

RULE #1: Wear Chanel To Chanel

It’s an unspoken rule to wear the designer to the show. In my show looks below, you’ll see that I’m wearing Gimabattista Valli blouse to the Valli show, Chanel everything to the Chanel show, Valentino boots to the Valentino show. You get the idea. It doesn’t have to be a full look–sometimes even the right accessories can tell the story.

RULE #2: Mix And Match Designer Clothes with Zara

Let me tell you a secret: you don’t have to wear strictly designer clothes to each show. Sometimes a good old Zara makes a great baseline! You’ll see that in my look for the Céline show, I combined a Zara skirt with a Céline coat and clutch, and it worked! Remember you’re putting together a look, and how it all comes together in the end is what matters.

RULE #3: Come Prepared

Instead of packing clothes, I always pack looks. I start by making a list of the shows I’m going to, then putting together a look for each one (just like we do for our styling clients!). Being proactive will give you clarity and peace of mind when packing and getting dressed for shows. At the same time, it’s important to stay open to tweaking your looks–see the next rule.

RULE #3: Be Ready To Change Your Looks On The Spot

Inspired by what we saw at Giambattista Valli fw2015 show–shifts and tunics worn over pants–I paired my Lanvin dress with Helmut Lang leather leggings for a fresh look that reflected next fall’s trend. Be ahead of the game!

RULE #4: Bring At Least One Look With Comfortable Shoes

After a few days of running from one show to another, you will give anything for a pair of comfy (yet chic) flats or boots. Especially in Paris, which is all about maneuvering around the cobble stones. During our last Paris Fashion Week, serious gridlock traffic forced us out of our Uber car and onto the cobblestone streets more than once. I opted for rockstud Valentino moto boots with a sleek cape and leather leggings for the Valentino show. My feet thanked me for it!

Rule #5: To Be Photographed, Be Eccentric

Want to be photographed at every fashion show? You don’t have to be a model or even look like one. All you have to do is to channel your creativity into the fashion language. After all, style is an art form. Emphasize your look with colors, shapes and unexpected combinations. From our experience, it’s the eccentric looks that get the most attention. Think Anna dello Russo or Leandra Medine.

Here are some of the looks I wore to the fall 2015 Paris Fashion Week. Note how I restyled some of the same pieces (like the Helmut Lang leather pants), and transformed a whole look from Giambattista Valli to Hermes show with just a switch of accessories (Celine tote to a mini Hermes Kelly bag).

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI FALL 2015 SHOW