Paris, right now, is the place to be. Serving as the international mecca for both the fashion establishment and the burgeoning underground, the city is abuzz with creative energy and power moves. It’s where runway trends emerge, breakthroughs are made, and top talent is based. But what about the locals—who exactly are the fresh faces hailing from France? Handpicked by models.com, these six French newcomers embody the essence of present-day Paris: a mix of diverse beauty, a touch of rebellious spirit, and that constant undercurrent of effortless chic.
Photography by Ellen Virgona for MODELS.com.
Styling by Teanne Vickers.
Produced and edited by Rosie Daly.
Thanks to David Wilton and Michael Carrello.
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- Audrey, on left, wears jacket – Atlein. Top (worn under) – Kenza Iatrides. Top (worn as skirt) – Izabela Clarke. Socks – stylist’s own. Shoes – Melissa x Y Project. On right, top – Alix Higgins. Pants – Vaitrait. Bracelet and rings – Parts of Four.
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- Audrey wears top – Alix Higgins.
Agency: GIRL (Paris)
Where are you from? I’m from Kourou, a city in French Guiana.
How old are you? 19.
Instagram: @audrey_jn_
What’s the most typically French/Parisian thing about you? I love croissants. I can eat thousands without getting tired of them.
Your favourite word or phrase? “Joie de vivre” – This is a way to express the enjoyment of life, a state of mind which makes you shine. An equivalent would be “joy of living”.
What fashion trends are you seeing in your hometown? In my hometown and all around French Guiana, it’s hard for the trends to reach us. The weather is hot, and the mentality makes people not care so much about the way they dress but more about comfort. So they’re wearing shorts and flip flops. But fashion trends in Paris are nice, people are wearing a lot of different styles, following the trends or their own tastes. It’s amazing.
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Paris should check out: I’ve only been living in Paris for a month, so I will not be able to give great advices because of the lack of time I’ve had to explore the city. I would only talk about a place near the Seine where people go to dance. There is a great atmosphere around there.
What do you think France does best? The French gastronomic wealth remains the best.
Where are you from? I’m from Kourou, a city in French Guiana.
How old are you? 19.
Instagram: @audrey_jn_
What’s the most typically French/Parisian thing about you? I love croissants. I can eat thousands without getting tired of them.
Your favourite word or phrase? “Joie de vivre” – This is a way to express the enjoyment of life, a state of mind which makes you shine. An equivalent would be “joy of living”.
What fashion trends are you seeing in your hometown? In my hometown and all around French Guiana, it’s hard for the trends to reach us. The weather is hot, and the mentality makes people not care so much about the way they dress but more about comfort. So they’re wearing shorts and flip flops. But fashion trends in Paris are nice, people are wearing a lot of different styles, following the trends or their own tastes. It’s amazing.
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Paris should check out: I’ve only been living in Paris for a month, so I will not be able to give great advices because of the lack of time I’ve had to explore the city. I would only talk about a place near the Seine where people go to dance. There is a great atmosphere around there.
What do you think France does best? The French gastronomic wealth remains the best.
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- Sateen wears tops – Bassike. Skirt – Atlein. Belt – Meadow Lark. Necklace – Parts of Four.
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- Soizic wears top – Kenza Iatrides. Earrings – Meadow Lark. Inès wears top – Izabela Clarke. Pants – Acne Studios. Briefs (worn under) – Miu Miu.
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- Barbara wears full look – stylist’s own. Shoes – Melissa.
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- Barbara wears tops – stylist’s own. Silver earring – Paula Mendoza. Gold earring – stylist’s own.
Barbara Dronnier
Agency: New Madison (Paris)
Where are you from? I come from the Paris suburbs.
How old are you? 22.
Instagram: @barbara.drn
What’s the most typically French/Parisian thing about you? I’d say that I go on a lot of arts and cultural outings, Paris is such a cultural city so there is always so much to do here!
Your favorite word or phrase? I wouldn’t say that it’s my favorite but I love to use the expression “Mi-figue, mi-raisin”. It literally means half fig, half grape. It’s when you have mixed feelings about something.
What fashion trends are you seeing in Paris/your hometown? What I really love about fashion in Paris is that it is so eclectic in terms of style. It may be because I studied fashion design, and work in fashion as a model, but I can really see a lot of mixed and different styles, so it’s hard to really identify trends since they come and go so fast!
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Paris should check out: I really enjoy going to the Bourdelle museum. It’s quite unfrequented and calm, and there is this very cute garden to walk around.
What do you think France does best? Food obviously!! I think French food is what I would miss the most when I’m traveling out of France.
Where are you from? I come from the Paris suburbs.
How old are you? 22.
Instagram: @barbara.drn
What’s the most typically French/Parisian thing about you? I’d say that I go on a lot of arts and cultural outings, Paris is such a cultural city so there is always so much to do here!
Your favorite word or phrase? I wouldn’t say that it’s my favorite but I love to use the expression “Mi-figue, mi-raisin”. It literally means half fig, half grape. It’s when you have mixed feelings about something.
What fashion trends are you seeing in Paris/your hometown? What I really love about fashion in Paris is that it is so eclectic in terms of style. It may be because I studied fashion design, and work in fashion as a model, but I can really see a lot of mixed and different styles, so it’s hard to really identify trends since they come and go so fast!
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Paris should check out: I really enjoy going to the Bourdelle museum. It’s quite unfrequented and calm, and there is this very cute garden to walk around.
What do you think France does best? Food obviously!! I think French food is what I would miss the most when I’m traveling out of France.
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- Audrey wears top – Alix Higgins. Pants – Vaitrait. Bracelet and rings – Parts of Four. Inès wears top – Didu. Pants (worn over) – Prada. Pants (worn under) – Ecole Des Artistes. Stockings – stylist’s own.
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- Soizic wears top – Kenza Iatrides. Pants – Didu. Pants (worn under) stylist’s own. Earrings – Meadow Lark. Bracelet – Parts of Four. Belt and shoes – stylist’s own.
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- Inès wears top – Didu. Pants (worn over) – Prada. Pants (worn under) – Ecole Des Artistes. Stockings – stylist’s own.
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- Inès wears, on left, top – Izabela Clarke. On right, top – Didu. Pants (worn over) – Prada. Pants (worn under) – Ecole Des Artistes. Stockings – stylist’s own. Shoes – Melissa x Jean Paul Gaultier.
Agency: Silent (Paris)
Where are you from? I’m a citizen of the world. I’m French and Chinese/Vietnamese, but I was born and raised Hong Kong, and have been living in London Town.
How old are you? 18 on the cusp of 19.
Instagram: @in35rchrdd
What’s the most typically French/Parisian thing about you? I enjoy a cheeky coffee, cigarette, pastry and chit chat en terrace.
Your favorite word or phrase? “Trop mimi” (too cute).
What fashion trends are you seeing in Paris? Layering of skirts over pants, lots and lots of bows, thin librarian-esque oval glasses, funky patterned tights, and cool biker boots.
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Paris should check out: The Chinatown over in Olympiades. They have the best family-owned, hole-in-the wall-restaurants with amazing food and cheap prices. Or, alternatively, Aki Bakery near Pyramides. It’s heaven for matcha lovers.
What do you think France does best? The fashion, art, architecture, literature, poetry… and maybe striking?
Where are you from? I’m a citizen of the world. I’m French and Chinese/Vietnamese, but I was born and raised Hong Kong, and have been living in London Town.
How old are you? 18 on the cusp of 19.
Instagram: @in35rchrdd
What’s the most typically French/Parisian thing about you? I enjoy a cheeky coffee, cigarette, pastry and chit chat en terrace.
Your favorite word or phrase? “Trop mimi” (too cute).
What fashion trends are you seeing in Paris? Layering of skirts over pants, lots and lots of bows, thin librarian-esque oval glasses, funky patterned tights, and cool biker boots.
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Paris should check out: The Chinatown over in Olympiades. They have the best family-owned, hole-in-the wall-restaurants with amazing food and cheap prices. Or, alternatively, Aki Bakery near Pyramides. It’s heaven for matcha lovers.
What do you think France does best? The fashion, art, architecture, literature, poetry… and maybe striking?
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- Sateen wears tops – Bassike. Skirt – Atlein. Belt – Meadow Lark. Necklace – Parts of Four. Shoes – Melissa x Y Project.
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- Barbara wears tops – stylist’s own. Audrey wears jacket – ATLEIN. Top (worn under) – Kenza Iatrides. Top (worn as skirt) – Izabela Clarke.
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- Nuage wears top – Kenza Iatrides.
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- Nuage wears jacket – Ecole Des Artistes. Top – Didu.
Agency: Viva Paris
Where are you from? Paris, France.
How old are you? 22.
Instagram: @nuagelepage
What’s the most typically Parisian thing about you? I’m a fast walker.
Your favorite word or phrase? “Ma puce” (My sweetheart).
What fashion trends are you seeing in Paris? Denim & scarves.
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Paris should check out: Jardin de l’Hôtel de Sens.
What do you think France does best? Taking time off work.
Where are you from? Paris, France.
How old are you? 22.
Instagram: @nuagelepage
What’s the most typically Parisian thing about you? I’m a fast walker.
Your favorite word or phrase? “Ma puce” (My sweetheart).
What fashion trends are you seeing in Paris? Denim & scarves.
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Paris should check out: Jardin de l’Hôtel de Sens.
What do you think France does best? Taking time off work.
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- Soizic wears top – Hugo Sire. Vest – Izabela Clarke. Earrings – Parts of Four. Inès wears top – Izabela Clarke. Pants – Acne Studios. Briefs (worn under) – Miu Miu.
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- Barbara wears full look – stylist’s own. Shoes – Melissa.
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- Sateen wears tops – Bassike. Skirt – Atlein. Belt – Meadow Lark. Necklace – Parts of Four. Shoes – Melissa x Y Project.
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- Sateen wears, on left, blazer and top – Vaitrait. On right, tops – Bassike. Skirt – Atlein. Belt – Meadow Lark. Necklace – Parts of Four. Shoes – Melissa x Y Project.
Sateen Besson
Agency: Next Paris
Where are you from? Paris, France.
How old are you? 20.
Instagram: @sateenbesson
What’s the most typically French/Parisian thing about you? Probably how much I love crêpes. I eat one almost every day for breakfast, it’s the best start to my day.
Your favourite word or phrase? “Tu permets!” My grandma says it all the time. It means “do you mind”, but she always says it in the sassiest way which makes it so funny.
What fashion trends are you seeing in Paris? I’ve been seeing the ballerina shoes make a huge come back. I’ve loved wearing them since I was a kid. They feel very coquettish and dainty, which I love.
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Paris should check out: The winter fair at the Tuileries is my favorite place ever! The summer fair is cute too.
What do you think France does best? Crêpes!!!
Where are you from? Paris, France.
How old are you? 20.
Instagram: @sateenbesson
What’s the most typically French/Parisian thing about you? Probably how much I love crêpes. I eat one almost every day for breakfast, it’s the best start to my day.
Your favourite word or phrase? “Tu permets!” My grandma says it all the time. It means “do you mind”, but she always says it in the sassiest way which makes it so funny.
What fashion trends are you seeing in Paris? I’ve been seeing the ballerina shoes make a huge come back. I’ve loved wearing them since I was a kid. They feel very coquettish and dainty, which I love.
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Paris should check out: The winter fair at the Tuileries is my favorite place ever! The summer fair is cute too.
What do you think France does best? Crêpes!!!
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- Nuage wears top – Kenza Iatrides.
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- Audrey wears jacket – Atlein. Sateen wears blazer and top – Vaitrait. Skirt and stockings – stylist’s own. Shoes – Melissa x Y Project.
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- Soizic wears top – Kenza Iatrides. Pants – Didu. Pants (worn under) stylist’s own. Earrings – Meadow Lark. Bracelet – Parts of Four. Belt – stylist’s own.
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- Soizic wears top – Hugo Sire. Vest – Izabela Clarke. Pants – stylist’s own. Earrings – Parts of Four.
Soizic Lagon
Agency: Elite Paris
Where are you from? Normandy, France.
How old are you? 19.
Instagram: @_s0izic
What’s the most typically French/Parisian thing about you? I’m moaning way too often.
Your favourite word or phrase? “Bisous” (xx).
What fashion trends are you seeing in Paris? Paris fashion is all about being effortlessly chic, quiet luxury with elevated basics.
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Paris should check out: Check out the small cinemas d’art et d’essais in the 6th / 5th districts of Paris, really nice programs.
What do you think France does best? Cheese and wine no doubt, ahah.
Where are you from? Normandy, France.
How old are you? 19.
Instagram: @_s0izic
What’s the most typically French/Parisian thing about you? I’m moaning way too often.
Your favourite word or phrase? “Bisous” (xx).
What fashion trends are you seeing in Paris? Paris fashion is all about being effortlessly chic, quiet luxury with elevated basics.
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Paris should check out: Check out the small cinemas d’art et d’essais in the 6th / 5th districts of Paris, really nice programs.
What do you think France does best? Cheese and wine no doubt, ahah.