Fashion critic and content creator Lyas LA, whose real name is Elias Medini, has single-handedly redefined the consumption of high fashion with La WATCH PARTY, a series of massive, in-person screenings of runway shows. What began as a spontaneous response to being uninvited to a Dior show—projecting the livestream onto a screen in a Parisian bar—quickly ballooned into a phenomenon. His events transform the typically exclusive spectacle of Fashion Week into a communal, participatory experience, drawing crowds of over a thousand fans in cities like London, Milan, and Paris. By fusing digital culture with a tangible, celebratory atmosphere, Lyas has created a new, inclusive paradigm for fashion fandom, proving that the energy and commentary surrounding the runway can thrive outside the traditional front row.
From Solo Snub to Viral Success
The genesis of La WATCH PARTY was a moment of disappointment that Lyas—a respected voice known for his candid social media commentary—turned into a revolutionary concept for the industry.
The turning point occurred when Lyas was not invited to Jonathan Anderson’s first Dior show in June 2025. Frustrated but determined not to miss a potentially historic moment in fashion, he quickly organized an impromptu screening at a small bistro on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis in Paris. The unexpected turnout, with a large crowd packing the bar and spilling onto the sidewalk to watch the livestream on a small screen, demonstrated a massive, unmet demand among fans. This initial success validated the idea that high fashion, often consumed alone via a screen, held immense potential for a shared, collective experience.
Creating a Communal, Festival Atmosphere
The official La WATCH PARTY events, which Lyas quickly organized into a European tour for the recent Fashion Week season, have been carefully curated to feel less like a formal viewing and more like a high-energy “fashion football match” or festival.
These events, held in large venues like the outdoor space at La Caserne during Paris Fashion Week, were completely free and highly accessible. Lyas intentionally replicates the atmosphere of watching a major sporting event or UFC match in a bar, encouraging attendees to cheer, debate trends, and share their passion with strangers. The atmosphere is consistently described as younger, fresher, and having a better vibe than traditional runway shows. Attendees were even invited to vote on the show’s quality using a QR code on the giant screen after the show, making the experience truly participatory and interactive.
Redefining Fashion’s Exclusivity Barrier
Lyas’s project directly confronts the historical exclusivity of the luxury fashion world, using technology and community building to democratize the runway experience.
The core success of La WATCH PARTY lies in its ability to offer a legitimate, shared experience of highly coveted shows—like those from Loewe, Balenciaga, Valentino, and Chanel—to fans who would never receive a traditional invitation. The events transform what was once an isolated digital experience into a real-world community gathering. As one young fashion enthusiast noted, it’s a “huge opportunity for us who don’t have the chance to attend these shows.” Lyas has proven that fashion fandom is massive and can thrive beyond the front row, creating a new generation of engaged critics and supporters who feel a personal connection to the industry.
The Influence of a New Fashion Narrative
The impact of Lyas extends beyond the party itself; his rise signifies a broader shift in fashion discourse, prioritizing candid, fan-driven commentary over industry-controlled narratives.
Lyas (Elias Medini) has built his reputation on candor and a lack of filter, telling it “how he sees it” to an online audience of over 150,000 followers. However, his success has necessitated a subtle shift in his tone; as he builds relationships with major brands, his critiques have become more nuanced. Despite the industry integration—he eventually earned a highly coveted seat at the Chanel show—his ultimate influence remains rooted in the La WATCH PARTY phenomenon. He has successfully used his platform to foster a shared space where the runway belongs to everyone, combining digital cultural clout with a potent real-world community impact.
