Paris Fashion Shows: A New Sport for Enthusiastic Fans

During Paris Fashion Week, a stylish crowd of predominantly 20-somethings has been converging daily near the Gare du Nord train station to partake in “watch parties” for major shows, including those by Saint Laurent and Dior. This innovative idea was conceived by Lyas, also known as Elias Medini, a 26-year-old French influencer boasting over 500,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok. “The aim is to democratize an exclusive scene and make it genuinely inclusive,” Medini shared when AFP visited to catch the Courreges show on Tuesday evening.

His initiative was born from a sense of frustration. After missing out on an invitation to Jonathan Anderson’s first Dior Homme show in June, Lyas decided to host his own viewing party at a local bar. “I really wanted to see this show, but I didn’t want to be alone,” he said. Ultimately, 350 attendees gathered to discuss the debut creations of the Northern Irish designer. Encouraged by the turnout, Lyas expanded his concept in preparation for the current season.

No Front Row

The events are mainly supported through collaborations with prominent brands such as Mac cosmetics, and he partnered with the influential Paris fashion PR agency, Lucien Pages. His live fashion “watch parties” have also been organized during London Fashion Week, and two events occurred in Milan.

La Caserne in Paris, with a capacity of up to 1,200 people, was filled to the brim on Wednesday, with many lined up outside as Anderson revealed his inaugural Dior womenswear collection. “There are often gatherings for football fans, but nothing for fashion aficionados,” remarked Agathe, a 26-year-old content creator, when speaking with AFP. No invitation cards or front rows are required; everyone is treated equally and admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. The only stipulation? Attendees must wear red lipstick, a signature mark of the influencer.

“I think it’s fantastic,” stated Mateus Rodrigues, a 27-year-old journalist from Brazil. He observed that compared to the traditional runway shows, “the atmosphere is much better,” echoed by drag queen Keiona who noted, “It feels more youthful and refreshing.”

A Huge Opportunity

As an engaging host, Lyas introduced several games with prizes for participants ahead of the Courreges show. One attendee, Aldo, won top honors with tickets to the actual show and had to race on a motorcycle taxi to make it in time. Lou-Agathe, an 18-year-old artist who usually follows shows online, won a jacket after performing a dance to Gloria Gaynor’s hit, “I Will Survive.” “I’m completely shocked. It’s incredible!” she exclaimed. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for those of us who don’t have the chance to experience these shows,” added the Yves Saint Laurent admirer.

Like most events during Paris Fashion Week, the Courreges show started fashionably late. Attendees made themselves comfortable on couches next to Lyas to appraise the collection, with others sitting on the floor or remaining on their feet. Reactions to the looks varied, but most found the overall collection impressive. At the show’s conclusion, everyone was invited to rate the presentation via a QR code displayed on the large screen. Courreges achieved an average rating of 3.8 out of five, outperforming the Saint Laurent show from the night before, which received a score of 3.2.