Behind the Scenes of Paris Fashion Week 2025

The Unfiltered Pulse of Fashion

Walking into Paris Fashion Week 2025, I quickly realized that the most exciting ticket wasn’t for the front row, but for the backstage. Here, brands and designers pulled back the curtain, giving us behind-the-scenes access that felt raw, chaotic, and surprisingly fun.

Instead of the usual polished picture, I found myself drawn to the energy, the fleeting moments, and the strong sense of community. It was a refreshing countermovement against the hyper-curated aesthetic that has long dominated social media for years.

The iPhone 4s Effect

What stood out most was a content creator named Lyas, who carried nothing but an iPhone 4s. At first glance, this old device looked like a relic compared to today’s standards, but the grainy, flash-heavy selfies he snapped turned into instant cult hits.

I watched them spread like a storm across feeds from different fashion shows, each frame unhinged yet full of realness that no AI-enhanced or ultra-HD camera could match. His approach revealed a subtle shift happening not only in campaigns, but also in how visuals were being consumed.

Fashion’s Low-Key Turn

Even established houses embraced this wave. Balenciaga shared visuals that felt deliberately low-key, almost random, yet strangely personal. Instead of a carefully well-thought-of production, their team leaned into imperfections. Meanwhile, DSquared transformed their runway into a party. What once took place off-schedule was now brought center stage, proving that even the most structured settings could benefit from spontaneity.

Panopticoncore in Motion

This rise of backstage visuals is tied closely to the influence of panopticoncore—an aesthetic rooted in the idea of being constantly watched. As someone standing near the cameras at a Loewe campaign, I noticed Emily Ratajkowski in a quiet boutique, surrounded by security cameras.

She changes into a complete look, and the moment captured felt strangely authentic yet undeniably staged. These compelling images reminded me that imperfection, even when framed as a flaw, can be the very essence of fun. Whether tucked away in iPhone camera rolls or in the hands of those daring enough to document it, today’s fashion thrives on the blur between real and constructed.