How Lyas Turned Fashion Show Watch Parties into a Global Community
At La Caserne in Paris, fashion critic Lyas has turned the once-exclusive runway show into a communal spectacle
Lyas is transforming fashion show watch parties into a global movement
Cold air and cigarette smoke drifted through La Caserne, the former fire station turned fashion incubator in Paris’s 10th arrondissement. More than 2,000 people packed the open-air courtyard one recent evening, waiting for the simulcast of Matthieu Blazy’s first Chanel show. The event, organized by French fashion commentator Elias Medini, better known online as Lyas, was the latest edition of La WATCH PARTY, a rising series of fashion show gatherings that transform runway livestreams into full-scale social experiences.
By 8 p.m., the venue was full. Latecomers crowded the barricades, hoping to slip in, while others stayed outside just to glimpse the screen or wait for the afterparty. Inside, the audience gathered around a giant laptop-shaped stage where the Chanel show would stream live from the Grand Palais. When celebrities appeared on-screen, the courtyard erupted in cheers. For many in the crowd, most of them students, this was the closest they would ever come to fashion’s front row.
Lyas himself wasn’t at La Caserne that night. He had earned a seat at the Chanel show, one of the most coveted invitations of Paris Fashion Week. Still, his presence filled the space. His voice and influence have helped shape a new kind of fashion experience, one that fuses digital culture with real-world community.
The viral beginning
The idea began almost by accident. In June, Lyas projected Dior’s Spring/Summer 2026 men’s show at a Paris bar, attracting a few hundred fashion enthusiasts. Known for his conversational reviews and critical insights, Lyas had already amassed more than 370,000 followers online. When he posted footage from that night, the video went viral, reaching over 1.8 million views. The enthusiasm was immediate, and La WATCH PARTY was born.
While the premise may seem simple, a public screening of an exclusive fashion show, the impact lies in its accessibility. In an industry often defined by closed doors and velvet ropes, Lyas has built a space that feels inclusive and communal. The format mirrors the spirit of sports watch parties, turning high fashion into a collective experience.
At La Caserne, that comparison felt fitting. The crowd responded to the Chanel show with the energy of a stadium audience, cheering favorite looks, debating designs, and falling quiet as models appeared. Not everyone was won over by Matthieu’s debut, but excitement for the event never wavered. Everything from entry to drinks to entertainment was free, reinforcing Lyas’ goal of making fashion participation feel open to everyone.
From screen to street
Beyond the spectacle, La WATCH PARTY signals a larger change in how people experience fashion. What once lived mostly online through livestreams, social media posts, and influencer commentary has become something physical and communal. Lyas’ events blur the boundary between content and experience, proving that fashion fandom can move beyond the screen and take shape in real life.
For brands, this shift is instructive. While many talk about “community activation,” Lyas has built one organically, grounded in shared enthusiasm. The giant laptop screen at La Caserne served as both a literal and symbolic centerpiece: a reminder of how the digital experience of fashion can evolve into something participatory.
As Paris Fashion Week came to an end, La WATCH PARTY hosted its final screenings, featuring Loewe, Balenciaga, and Valentino before concluding with Chanel. Whether or not Lyas continues the series next season, its influence is already clear. What started as a casual experiment has grown into a new form of fan culture, one that redefines who gets to take part in fashion’s most anticipated moments.
In Lyas’ version of the front row, the runway belongs to everyone.
Lyas, whose real name is Elias Medini, is a French fashion critic and content creator known for his sharp commentary and accessible approach to fashion. He has built a large online following and is now redefining how audiences experience runway shows through his La WATCH PARTY events.
La WATCH PARTY is a series of large-scale fashion show watch parties created by Lyas. It transforms traditional livestreams into real-world events where fans can gather, watch, and celebrate fashion together.
The concept began in June when Lyas hosted a small Dior livestream viewing in a Paris bar, which went viral online. The overwhelming response led him to expand the idea into official events during Fashion Weeks.
His events make fashion more inclusive by creating shared spaces where fans can experience major runway shows without needing an invitation. It represents a shift from fashion as an exclusive spectacle to fashion as a communal, participatory experience.
Lyas has shown that fashion fandom can thrive beyond the front row, combining digital culture with real-world community. The future of fashion may not just be about what you wear, but about sharing the experience with others.
Photos courtesy Instagram
