On a brisk early March evening in Paris, a line wrapped around the entire block of the Theatre du Chatelet during Fashion Week. At first glance, it might have looked like people waiting to enter a film or concert. But looking closer, you noticed that groups of young people – in carefully curated outfits featuring oversized coats, vintage leather, knee-high boots, and statement pieces of all sorts – were all anxiously there to get a seat for the La Watch Party.
Everyone here clearly loved fashion, but few had tickets to the exclusive shows reserved for celebrities, brand ambassadors, and influencers. Instead, these fashion enthusiasts congregated for La Watch Party, a free public event where some of the most anticipated Fall/Winter 2026 designer collections would be livestreamed at the historic theater. Almost every night of Fashion Week, people gathered to analyze, celebrate, and experience the runway together as the shows unfolded in real time.
Fashion Week has long been a symbol of exclusivity: limited invitations, tightly controlled guest lists, and the front row reserved for celebrities, editors, and insiders. For those not invited, the runway remains at a distance. Even for those deeply invested in the fashion world, shows could only be viewed through Instagram posts or the media’s next day’s coverage. The La Watch Party offers a way to bring the excitement of the runway to everyone while the shows are happening.
This event was the vision of influencer Elias Mendini, known online as Lyas. Starting in a Parisian bar and now filling all the seats in one of the world’s most famous theaters, La Watch Party’s iconic designer shows are livestreamed on a massive viewing screen. The party has become a community where the fashion industry and new collections are broken down and explained in a way that is accessible to anyone, especially young viewers. This season, when the doors of the theater opened, the crowd flowed in, filling up every red velvet seat.
The atmosphere in the theater wasn’t the controlled and serious environment of a traditional runway; it was livelier and more personal. There was food and drinks, with people excitedly discussing their predictions for the upcoming show. People from all walks of life gathered for one reason: to experience the runway. The lights dimmed, and the room fell silent as the show began.
At a runway venue, the audience sits silently, watching models pass by. But at La Watch Party, the crowd has a different approach. Gasps and applause erupt after exceptional looks as people participate and experience this moment together.
As the opening model stepped on the runway at the Saint Laurent show – held at Palace du Trocadero, with a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower – the La Watch Party congregants leaned forward instinctively. They noticed that Anthony Vaccarello, the creative director for Saint Laurent, honored the iconic tradition of the house but added a modern edge and a reinterpretation of classic silhouettes. The collection reinforced identity and confident sensuality, which Saint Laurent is known for. A modern take on Le Smoking – one of the first tuxedo suits for women introduced in 1966 – huge furs, delicate lace tops, skirts, and dresses were some of the standout looks that brought cheers from the audience. The black and dark neutral color palette allowed structure and silhouette to be the main points of focus.
Isabel Marant brought a different kind of energy to the grand theater. Marant’s designs have been a symbol of the effortless and confident Parisian style. This collection featured looks that felt relaxed and wearable rather than theatrical. On the massive viewing screen, the audience watched models step out in sheer tops, micro shorts, and bomber jackets, clearly tapping into the ongoing revival of the 1990s style. The collection offered several chic yet practical looks designed to be worn with draped, slouched, and relaxed silhouettes. The crowd was wearing their own Marant-inspired looks, sporting straight-legged pants, vintage leather jackets, and denim, allowing the theater to seem not so far away from the live show.
In between shows, people discussed their favorite collections, predicted trends, and analyzed the looks: the most fascinating part of a La Watch Party. The audience wasn’t just observing, they were participating. Aspiring designers, students, or fashion enthusiasts were all able to contribute to the conversation. Members of the audience were allowed on stage and shared their interpretations or opinions that would normally be limited to industry insiders.
Later in the week, the Theater du Chatelet once again filled. This time for the Alexander McQueen show. Founded by Alexander McQueen, the house has been known for runway presentations that combine performance with fashion. Each look seemed like its own character.
The eerie music, models with porcelain masks, sheer pale fabric hanging from the ceiling and spiraling in the middle of the runway, and the clean silhouettes pinched at the waist gave a provocative doll-like vibe. Each piece designed by Sean McGirr was a work of art. The audience couldn’t help but stare in awe as each model paraded the runway. Lightweight lace dresses, heavy coats, and flowing florals made for a complete collection, offering an outfit for any occasion. Watching the show in this community environment amplified the emotional impact of this collection.
Chanel remains one of the most influential houses in fashion. And for the final night of an extraordinary Fashion Week, the Théâtre du Châtelet was fully packed with over 2,000 La Watch Party attendees, anxiously anticipating the iconic house’s show. Once it began, the runway was filled with the signature looks that define Chanel: tweed jackets, tailored pant suits, soft pastels, and meticulously detailed designs. The intricate fabrics and carefully constructed silhouettes made it clear why Chanel is timeless.
On the viewing screen, models weaved through colorful construction cranes placed throughout the Grand Palais, one of Paris’ most famous museums. At La Watch Party, the audience viewed the new collection as a remix of Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance” played. The final evening was a party that celebrated not only the iconic new collections but also the unique community that came together for La Watch Party. With the runways now open, luxury brands have expanded their reach, increasing both brand visibility and accessibility.
Leaving at the end of the night was tough for everyone. It was hard not to think about what La Watch Party represented and the community it built. For decades, Paris Fashion Week has been known for its prestige and exclusivity. A seat at a show shows status, access, and power. La Watch Party challenges this idea by creating a space where thousands can experience the new collections at the same time as those in the front row seats. The shows haven’t changed. But inside the Théâtre du Châtelet, for a few hours, the runway belonged to everyone.
