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I won a 3-day pass to TOM. I won the “Creativity in Business Award” for my program, and I was told I had gotten a 3-day pass. Even getting this 3-day pass took forever (2-3 months). I was emailing back and forth with the rep forever. Sometimes I got a reply, mostly I didn’t. I honestly felt a little bit like they just didn’t want to give me the pass. I got kind of a few excuses that felt a bit fake. I know of two other girls from my school who also won passes and never actually got them for another prize. They had mentioned that it was “passes” on the phone to me, so I invited a friend to come and take photos for me. I mean…when was the last time you entered a contest for concert tickets and they gave you ONE? Usually you win TWO.
Finally, a week before the show, I got my ONE pass. They had to explain to me that they made a mistake, and that their records stated ONE ticket. They threw me a bone and gave me one free day pass.
The first night wasn’t too bad. However it was obvious that the first few shows weren’t as strong as the later ones. That makes sense because it’s a Friday night and the first show was at 6:00 pm. People are just getting off work at this time. Luckily for Danielle and I though, because there were few seats we were treated to the front row treatment twice! There is a show every hour from 6:00pm-10:00pm (last show is 10:00).
Something I really disliked about the show was that every single show you had to rescan the same ticket. I had a piece of paper for the whole week. Like they couldn’t have let me trade in a 3-day pass paper for an actual pass. If it doesn’t scan properly, they have the right to refuse you entry. Like one girl almost did, and I looked her dead in the eye and said “it worked the last 2 shows I was just in. This better not happen for the next 2 days.” I think it scared her/she kinda recognized me and let me in.
We only ended up staying for the first 3 shows because we got hungry. The location for TOM this year was at one yonge, in a loading back area. There really aren’t that many food choices there.
This second night was terrible. I missed the first two shows, and basically stayed for 2. It was such a busy day because it was a Saturday! I almost didn’t get into the second show I saw. They WAY over sold tickets. I don’t even think everyone got in. Luckily an angel of a girl helped me push through.
The last day wasn’t so bad! I got a free bracelet because I snuck up to the second row (not all the of the seats fill themselves!). I was going to staffer the 9:00pm show but there wasn’t one. I ended up heading home for an early dinner, and then on my way to work.
Final Thoughts & Tips & Tricks
1. FASHIONWEEK. remember that as your Wifi password next year. Apparently it hasn’t changed in years.
2. It was pretty disorganized at times. We also showed up at 5:00 when the “cocktail” party was supposed to happen. There wasn’t one. We put our passes on the table where they were still training people. We waited until they were done, they continued to ignore us. We asked, and they told us we didn’t even need to show the tickets at the entrance, just at the entrance to the actual shows. WOW.
3. Don’t loose your ticket. Make sure that you have it saved on your phone too. Bring copies? If one doesn’t scan even if your ticket is real, you’re not getting in.
4. You didn’t even need a ticket to get into the lounge portion. You could just go and take pictures with the TOM sign. Pretend you were there.
5. Weigh what you care about more. A chance to sit front row? or the fashion? If it’s front row, go to the earliest shows. Go on a Friday. No one comes to those. The shows aren’t as great, but you will have an amazing chance of being bumped to front row. ALTHOUGH we did see an AWFUL friend who left her friend up in the bleachers to grab the only front row seat left. Danielle and I invited her to sit right behind her friend in the empty second row seat with us.
6. Is it cold? well TOO BAD. Every fashion show I’ve ever been at, the chairs are uncomfortable rental chairs that happen to be somewhat pretty. Needless to say, they’re tiny. Wear as streamlined of an outfit as you can.
7. The shows start on the hour, so start lining up as soon as you can. VIPS go in first and grab a majority of the good seats. If you end upstanding, try to get the end of the runway where the media are for better shots. Also, the shows are like 10-20 minutes long. So you end with a lot of standing time in between shows.
8. There are a lot of after parties. We got invited to one, but didn’t end up going because we were already so hungry and tired. So I mean if you want to just go network, just find out where the after parties are. I heard you have to be at least 21 to get into some though.
9. There are a lot of chances to take pictures with the models because they don’t walk every single show and come out to the lounge. This is why you should bring a friend to take photos with (hint hint nudge nudge 1 pass)
10. If it’s at the same location next year, be prepared to walk or uber. It’s late, and it’s the weekend. The TTC simply just does not stop by that stop often enough to take you to Union station. it’s about a 10-15 minute walk. It’s kinda dark and scary so bring a friend, and bring a mini flashlight. The location was nice, but it was not well planned for guests. It’s literally right next to the water.
