Meet the fashion week tribes you'll find in Paris

Meet the fashion week tribes you’ll see at Soho House Paris | Soho House

Samuel Muston provides a spotter’s guide to the most recognisable tribes at the most fashionable week in the French capital

Friday 30 September 2022   By Samuel Muston

It’s that time of year again. The fashion circus has descended and you can’t get near the bar at Soho House Paris. Champagne is being quaffed, street-style photographers are being pestered, and every designer is hoping Anna Wintour will grace their front row with her presence.

Within the maelstrom you can still see faces as familiar as the Arc de Triomphe. They are the tribes of fashion week and move wherever the shows go. Here are all the tribes you might see in and around Soho House Paris.

Meet the fashion week tribes you’ll see at Soho House Paris | Soho House

The picky fashion girl

She’s in vintage Valentino. She borrowed it from her mum, though her mum doesn’t know it yet. She is a little worried about the Champagne and those canapes with cheese on them. After all, camembert and silk don’t mix. Air-kisses everyone she meets. Doesn’t like the germs. Can’t remember anyone’s name. Has a poster of Charlotte Gainsbourg above her bed. Yet to meet her Serge.

Meet the fashion week tribes you’ll see at Soho House Paris | Soho House

The front-row actor

Their smile is as bold as the Eiffel Tower. And why not? After all, they’re being paid to have their hair done, their face groomed, and then sit on a chair. What’s not to like? Still, though, they are counting down the seconds until they can stop wearing the brand’s particularly restrictive suede jacket and are able to hit the bar with their friend from RADA. Never knowingly paid for a drink. Will steal your girlfriend given any chance whatsoever. 

Meet the fashion week tribes you’ll see at Soho House Paris | Soho House

The could-be Sebastien Tellier

He’s got the beard, he’s got the oversized sunglasses, the lion’s mane of hair, and there’s the hat, too. Sadly, they’re not the actual Sébastien Tellier, but still they live in hope that a street-style photographer might mistake them for him. Speaks in an affected French accent, despite having grown up in Barnsley. Can’t sing for toffee. Thinks he can. Carries round a guitar. Keeping fingers crossed that he might be asked to do a brand collab. Probably not with Chanel.

Meet the fashion week tribes you’ll see at Soho House Paris | Soho House

The new model on the block

They are singlehandedly maintaining the fortunes of Amber Leaf tobacco. In fact, they smoke so much you can’t help wondering if they may be just trying to keep warm. Their jeans are ripped, their T-shirts are black, and their hair surpasseth all understanding. They run on beer and sleep five to a room in a model apartment in Oberkampf. Often found running down the road, shovelling a croissant into their mouths, late to a casting. Living in hope they might be swooped up by Dior in an exclusive. And, well, you never know…

Meet the fashion week tribes you’ll see at Soho House Paris | Soho House

The overworked influencer

There they go, moving in packs, like wildebeest, but with camera phones. No moment is too insignificant, no freebie is ever to be overlooked. Still, though, we love them, for their joie de vivre and their absolute commitment to attending every single show and being photographed doing so. They have perfected the freeze-frame walk outside the entrance and can be now found sitting at the bar drinking Picantes and moaning gently about how tiring it all is.

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