How to do Paris Fashion Week like a French fashion editor

Parisian fashion journalist and Soho House member Pierre A. M’Pelé, known as Pam Boy on social media, is a trusted voice in the industry – a reputation he has built from years as a magazine editor known for his cleverly written and well-informed articles, interviews, and ingenious emoji reviews. 

In November 2021, M’Pelé was appointed head of editorial content at GQ France, a role he acquired alongside running his own publication, SCRNSHT – famed for curating a library of digital conversations with fashion heavyweights such as Marc Jacobs and James Scully – and his podcast, The Fashion Podcast, launched previously in 2020. 

With that being said, it comes as no surprise that M’Pelé is an expert in all things Paris Fashion Week. So, as menswear season kicks off, we called on him to provide us with the ultimate guide to navigating one of the busiest weeks in the city through his own lens. 

From where to shop and what to wear, to the best places to spend your downtime between shows, here’s how to do Paris Fashion Week the right way. 

What will you be wearing this fashion week? 
‘I’ve always been obsessed with the formality of a suit. This year, I’m transitioning towards a double-breasted wardrobe, so you’ll see plenty of that style. As a tailor on Savile Row once told me: ‘tailoring is the mother’, and I do believe there is beauty and value in knowing how to cut and sew.’
 
Which designers are you most excited about seeing? 
‘I am always keeping an eye on young designers. They’re the breath of fresh air the industry needs to grow creatively. They have new, exciting ideas. Labels such as Egonlab, Arturo Obegero (or AO), Jeanne Friot and Christoph Rumpf are not only talented and tenacious, they’re also decent human beings, and that’s a refreshing quality in the industry.’ 
 
How will you be using Soho House during fashion week? 
‘Soho House Paris is my personal HQ during Paris Fashion Week. It’s the perfect place to have a meeting, grab a quick lunch, or meet with travelling friends for a drink. Last September, GQ France hosted a party in the Cabaret Room, so it’s a place where our communities blend and feel at home.’ 
 
Where will you be doing your pre-show pampering? 
‘At home and in my fashion week moving cocoon, which is an electric Volvo C40 Recharge.’

Where will you go to relax between shows? 
‘I do not know what relaxing means during fashion week. But I’ll try and stop by the gym at Soho House Paris to clear my mind when I can.’ 
 
What are your favourite Paris stores? 
‘Horace on 68 Rue Vieille-du-Temple, because it has every single natural skincare product I need daily, and the customer service is great. 
 
‘3537, the Dover Street Market hub hosting art and fashion exhibitions, as well as fun events. Adrian Joffe successfully created a unique space in the centre of the Marais. 
 
‘BO&MIE on 359 Rue Saint-Martin is my favourite bakery in Paris. It’s a great place to stop to grab a little bit of sweetness or a savoury snack while you’re on the go. 
 
‘Ferment is a tiny hideaway just around the corner from Soho House Paris. Everyone should order the Tête de Moine, which tastes like French happiness in your mouth. 
 
‘The iconic Le Bon Marché department store is always a good idea. It’s filled with all that makes life a little more exciting, thanks to a savvy selection blending tradition, opulence, and newness.’

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