Leen’s Fashion week editor diary.
Believe it or not, fashion week is like a rollercoaster—you can plan every detail, but nothing truly prepares you for the wild ride. My theme this year? “Chic chaos.” Between racing to shows, making frantic outfit changes (when I was supposed to leave 20 minutes ago), surviving on way too much coffee, and squeezing in last-minute content calls, it’s pure madness.
But honestly, who’s complaining? Amid the craziness, being at Paris Fashion Week is an experience that never loses its magic. So, if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be an editor in the midst of fashion week madness, get ready for a chaotic yet fabulous ride through my day!
Spoiler alert: expect outfit changes, celebrity sightings, and way more coffee than is humanly advisable.
(The timeline is set in Paris Men’s Fashion Week 2024)
Morning Madness: Skincare, Survival Mode & Coffee Fix
First things first, let’s talk skincare. If you think you can survive a full day of running around Paris without it, think again.
I start with a deep cleanse from CeraVe the Hydrating Facial Cleanser (gotta wash away those 3 hours of sleep, right?), followed by Anua toner, the oh-so-popular Beauty of Joseon eye cream, and slather on sunscreen like it’s liquid gold. To top it off, a generous layer of COSRX Snail Mucin for that dewy glow that screams “I’ve got this,” even when I’m totally sleepy and yes, I also use The Ordinary Niacinamide
Skincare Saviours: My Go-To Products
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Designed to cleanse and refresh the skin without over-stripping it or leaving it feeling tight and dry.
Find it here.
Heartleaf 77% soothing toner
#1 Bestseller Facial Toner on Amazon
A soothing toner formulated with Heartleaf Extract, designed to calm irritation and moisturize the skin.
Find it here.
Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum Ginseng + Retinal
Find it here.
Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics (SPF50+ PA++++)
Find it here.
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Find it here.
9:30 AM
I made my way to the cutest coffee shop “Sevenly Heart” in the 3rd arrondissement for a much-needed Spanish latte — because what’s a fashion week morning without caffeine? With coffee in hand, it’s time for the first outfit change before heading to the Loewe show at 12:00 PM!
12:00 PM: Loewe: Leather Files, Celeb Sightings, and Fashion Fireworks
Loewe never disappoints, and let’s talk about the invite first — a leather file, with each guest receiving a different colour. Très chic, no?
Inside, I spotted an incredible array of celebrities, including Evan Peters, Omar Apollo, Kit Connor, Jeff Goldblum, Sabrina Carpenter, Fai Khadra, the Hadban twins, Miguel Herran, Aron Piper, Emrata, Pharrell, Rebecca Hall, Dan Levy, Mahmood, Pedro Almodovar, Emerald Fennell, Gotmik, Wang Yibo, Noah Jupe, Leo Woodall, and more. While I was low-key starstruck, my editor hat stayed on (just barely).
As we reviewed on KHAMSA, Loewe’s show was perfect from the stunning designs to the venue, it was pure artistry. The collection, with its details and feathers, felt like Susan Sontag’s call for an “erotics of art” come to life.
Once the show wrapped, it was a mad dash for an outfit change because, naturally, Hermes waits for no one!!
Quick Change & Coffee with Abbas AlAsfoor (@theabbasvlog)
I managed to change outfits in just 10 minutes and was ready for the second show to talk about a fashion miracle! Before heading over, though, I had a quick coffee at Shangri-La Paris with @theabbasvlog, exploring his fascinating journey and the story behind his distinctive and unique personality.
3:00 PM: Hermès show
Walked back into the venue, and you know a show is going to be something special when the venue alone leaves you wondering. (You can read the full review here)
And Hermes? Simply outstanding. From the stylish guests rocking the brand’s iconic bags and the new collection showcasing a masterclass in how men’s fashion is evolving.
Among the crowd, I spotted Mishal Tamer the golden boy of Saudi Arabia, Bryan Boy, top editors from around the world, and of course, the Hadban twins, how do they manage to look so effortlessly perfect every single time?
Break Time (Sort of) & 8:00 PM Hermès Dinner
With a brief moment to catch my breath (and maybe sneak in a power nap), I prepped for the Hermès dinner at Giulia Paris. Outfit change number three? Check. I was feeling refreshed and ready to dive back into the evening’s festivities.
The dinner was a delight—beautiful people, engaging conversations, a warm atmosphere, and a soundtrack that set the perfect tone.
10:30 pm Loewe After Party: Dancing the Night Away
By 10:30 pm, I was on my fifth and final look of the day, slipping into something effortless for the Loewe after-party at Club Le Nuit. The DJ was spinning a soundtrack no one could resist, and the room buzzed with fashion’s elite. Loewe logos and symbols flashed on the screens, setting the vibe just right for a night of dancing, networking, and trying to remember not to fan-girl every time I ran into someone fabulous.
And just like that, another day of fashion week came to a close – a tornado made of shows, celebrity sightings, and non-stop style, topped off with a nightcap that kept me going (and no, it wasn’t just the caffeine).
With fashion week right around the corner again, you already know what’s coming: more outfit changes? Definitely. Celebrity run-ins? Absolutely.
And an unhealthy amount of coffee? You bet!
Amazing new KHAMSA articles and reviews? You’re absolutely right.
Ready or not, it’s about to kick off all over again!
