Finally, a front row for the rest of us, thanks to La Watch Party

“It’s so difficult to attend the actual show, you know?” says Elise, a Paris-based fashion student. Dressed in a chiffon blouse and skirt, she taps her heels impatiently, clutching a large Americano as we wait in line. “We love Chloé, and we’ve been trying to get in for years, but the invites are impossible and the venues are always a closely guarded secret.” Fortunately, this was about to change. Elise and her friend are seconds away from experiencing a fashion event even better than they can imagine.

“We want to open the doors of this industry, because god knows it’s been closed for too long,” says Elias Medini, the French fashion TikToker fondly known as Lyas, five minutes into the opening of his brainchild La Watch Party. Sure, the idea of a ‘watch party’ is nothing new, but only a handful have been able to grasp and execute this idea on such a large scale. For me, the decision to attend La Watch Party came earlier that week, when I saw a gazillion stories of my Parisian friends raving about it.

But, what exactly is La Watch Party? Lyas’s idea is simple: to create a medium and a space where all are welcome to experience fashion. “Fashion is so much more than selling a bag; we want people to sell us a dream. This is only the beginning,” Lyas says in his intro montage that plays right before every show. With two core pillars—free entry and no reservations—the project reflects the influencer’s mission to transform the fashion world into something more accessible, inclusive, and, ultimately, more festive. The result? An experience that moves far beyond.

“I travelled all the way from Germany to attend this event today, specifically for Chloé,” says Sema, a Berlin-based drama educator. “I’m accompanying my sister, who’s a photographer covering fashion week,” she adds as we stand in line to collect our mango matchas and maple miso coffees courtesy of the hosts right before the show begins. Attending the 9 am show was a strategic choice: to avoid an overwhelming crowd and to interact with the man himself. “It’s quite early but I can’t wait to see the show,” Sema says. “This is the priority.”

The line outside snaking toward the entrance of the Théâtre du Châtelet is a spectacle in its own right—a “mini-show” that rivals the one we were about to see inside. I watched as a group of students leaned against the stone pillars, their outfits a masterclass in the boho style so synonymous with the brand. Think oversized shearling coats thrown over delicate lace slips and grounded with boots. People carried notebooks and pens, sketch pads and colour pencils.

Beyond the spectacle of the show, what truly makes La Watch Party stand out is its commitment to community. It isn’t just about the grand setting; it’s about the connection fostered within it. I didn’t expect to be on stage with Lyas today, I think to myself as I walk down the grand staircase of the historic Théâtre du Châtelet, my arms weighed down by a gift bag overflowing with Chloé’s latest fragrance and a curation of keepsakes. As if chocolates from La Maison Du Chocolat and beer weren’t enough, some lucky attendees also won Chloé products.

“It really depends on the maison,” says Samantha Macwan, a fashion and luxury student who has devotedly attended nearly every watch party so far, including Saint Laurent and Isabel Marant. “You’re lucky you chose Chloé; for YSL, the line stretched all the way to the next street!” When I ask her what keeps her coming back, Samantha explains it’s more than just the screening. “It’s not just the show; it’s the anticipation beforehand and the dialogue that follows,” she adds. “Discussing the collection with the audience and Lyas right afterward helps me understand how fashion is perceived through different eyes.”

At 10:30 am, the house lights dim. As if on cue, the audience sits bolt upright, eyes glued to the screen as the prologue begins. Perhaps it’s the maple iced coffee kicking in, but the room is breathless with anticipation. As the collection unfolds, gasps ripple through the theatre. Onscreen, creative director Chemena Kamali’s reverence for vintage is masterfully executed. “You can see these are clothes made for a woman by a woman,” one bystander remarks during the open discussion. The pieces strike a perfect chord between structured silhouettes and the signature Chloé “flou”. Earthy beiges and browns are punctuated by unexpected pops of moss green and deep crimson, while traditional Scottish checks and laser-cut leather accents add a modern, tactile edge. “I’m not a huge fan of wearing socks with heels, but I can see the vision,” says Elise shortly after.

“I’ve seen the ‘fan zone’ concept thrive in sports for decades, but it’s fascinating to see that energy finally captured by the fashion industry,” notes Cristina Mussachio, a fashion podcaster. The choice of venue is a nod to this shift; the Théâtre du Châtelet is no stranger to the roar of a crowd, having previously hosted high-profile screenings for major football matches. Cristina points out that the location itself is a statement of intent. “What makes this even better is how the venue strips away the traditional intimidation of high fashion. By hosting this at Châtelet—a place the public already associates with shared cultural moments—fashion becomes infinitely more accessible.” It’s a bridge between the polished runway and the pulse of the street.

Throughout the three hours I spend inside, I watch the barrier between friends and strangers dissolve. People approach me with genuine curiosity, asking what I was scribbling in my notebook or peeking into my gift bag with wide-eyed excitement. Nearby, a small crowd of girls rushes towards an artist sketching live caricatures of the runway looks, huddling together, debating the silhouettes, and marvelling at how she had captured the essence of the collection in a mere 20 minutes. It was a rare, unpretentious moment of collective inspiration and proved that this was more than a screening. It was a safe harbour for art and culture—a place where Lyas’s vision of an accessible fashion world had come to life.