BUTTERFLIES OF PARIS

The 14 Types of Street Style Stars You Meet in Paris

The street style stars who dominated Paris Fashion Week are a rare breed—exuberant, exotic, exquisite. In this easy-to-follow guide, we classify these rare birds of paradise as they peacock in their natural habitat.

by Mike Albo

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Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

It’s happened—the street style surrounding the shows at fashion week has become, officially, more important than the shows themselves. That walk from the personal driver to the Grand Palais has now become a highly specialized, ritualistic mating dance, and the creatures who are most successful understand this brief but difficult journey. To be noticed you must create a look that doesn’t look like you put together a look, and when you are noticed, you must not notice you are being noticed. Still, you must be eye-catching, you must stand out.

All this effortless effort has transformed the area outside of the shows into vibrant ecosystems that come alive with rare breeds, all circling, signaling, smoking, and rarely smiling.

Here are some of the most impressive species from Paris, the apex of the fashion month calendar, which, due to harsh weather conditions this year, was especially challenging for the peacocking street style stars. Not only did they have to successfully signal, but they had to consider outer garments and rain protection. Not that it stopped any of these street style stars from venturing out to greet that other wild subspecies of this ecosystem—Camera incessentsia, better known as the Clickers. (You might know them best as street style paparazzi.) How all these magnificent birds of paradise will evolve for next season’s convergence remains to be seen. Here, meet the (social) Butterflies of Paris.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

The Candied Pufferfish: The neon thorax and head area allow for immediate recognition.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

The Walking Jellyfish: Layers of bright color and pattern give this being an advantage in attention-getting.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

The Nicotine Python: This tattooed, tobacco-scented creature can stir the sexual organs of many observers.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

The Snow Anemone: A padded circularity allows this specimen to completely ignore onlookers.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

The Binoche-ish: A quick and dependable technique: signaling the essential elegance of film icon Juliet Binoche.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

The Silver-Bottomed Ennui: The half-shimmered Ennui wanders through traffic in sullen magnificence.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

The Spaz-Footed Droll: With its surprisingly subtle use of color, the Droll attracts only the most sophisticated Clicker.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

The Insta-Chameleon: An uncanny ability to instantly, fashionably match its surroundings gives this creature an edge.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

The Tough-Skinned Clomper: Durable yet delicate, the Clomper’s hooves manage stairs, curbs, and other difficult terrain with élan.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

The Moss-Backed Marcher: Like a very busy lawn with goals.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

The Cocooned Chandelier: Ingeniously remaining in its chrysalis, the Cocooned Chandelier judiciously offers up its beauty.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

The Hopeful Malfunction: This being grabs attention by teetering on the tip of titillation.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

The Multi-Orificed Purse Clasp: An accessory brought to life, the Clasp catches the eye.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

The Lavender Whooping Knot: Like a living purple belly-button, the Whooping Knot will not be ignored.

Paris Fashion Week Street Style Is Making Even Vetememes Look Chic

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding

Street style at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2017.

Photo by Adam Katz Sinding
Photo by Adam Katz Sinding
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