Lyas, a compelling fashion communicator known for his incisive insights, discusses the vital role of storytelling in fashion. He reflects on the loss of creativity in the industry and the disposability of designers today. Through personal experiences, Lyas shares how his queer Arab French identity informs his humor and emotional narratives. He emphasizes the need for inclusivity in fashion storytelling and critiques the struggles of emerging brands, advocating for authenticity and individuality in a rapidly changing landscape.
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insights INSIGHT
Designers Are Treated As Disposable
Lyas believes the golden age of designers is over and designers are now disposable.
He links this to corporate priorities that favor short-term returns over long creative incubation.
question_answer ANECDOTE
From Cinema Frustration To Fashion Parties
Liyas moved to Paris for cinema, found the film crowd unwelcoming, and gravitated to fashion parties via Instagram connections.
He developed a superstar nighttime persona and used social media to build friendships and taste.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Viral Pilot Taught Platform Ownership
A pilot he made for GQ Friends about being the "Balenciaga boy" went viral with ~3 million views and taught him platform dynamics.
GQ tried to distance themselves from the views and he realized he owned the audience and must create independently.
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Fashion narrator Lyas is one of the most compelling and authentic fashion communicators to have arrived on the scene, and whose takes on fashion shows and editorials are incisive, honest and well-informed.
“I think we’ve lost the mindset of thinking that it’s possible to be creative and make money for the company, because the golden age of designers is over,” he says. “Now, every designer is disposable. It’s like musical chairs—every month, there’s someone leaving, someone coming.”
Lyas’s journey has been shaped by his belief in the emotional power of storytelling, which he sees as central to fashion communication. Using TikTok and Instagram to communicate his thoughts and opinions, his fashion roulette videos and witty runway dissections have captured the attention of hundreds of thousands of viewers. Recently, he has bemoaned the dilution of creativity across the fashion industry.
Key Insights:
Growing up in France and studying drama, Lyas was first drawn to the visual world filmmaking. Frustrated by the rigid criteria of the film industry, Lyas found freedom in fashion, where he could create personas and critique without fitting into predefined moulds. He connected with fashion insiders at parties, building his presence through social media and discovering a space that allowed his voice and persona to thrive. "I didn't find the sense of belonging in that cinema crowd, so I started going out with fashion people,” he said. “It became this way of creating this superstar persona at night and I fell in love with that."
Lyas quickly noticed the gap between private opinions and public silence in the fashion world. He began voicing unfiltered critiques, challenging the industry's hypocrisy. This unapologetic stance led to temporary blacklists but also opened doors, proving the value of staying true to his voice. “I started just saying it like it is on my TikTok... the first Sabato de Sarno I really didn't like, and I think most of the industry did not like it, but no one wanted to say it, so I took the bullet."
Lyas is critical of the corporatization of fashion, where creativity is often sidelined for profit. "We've lost the mindset of thinking that it's possible to be creative and make money for the company, " he said. “The golden age of designers is over. Now any designer is disposable. We've seen it, it’s like musical chairs."
On advice, Lyas keeps it simple. “Have no fear. But it's very easy to say, but I think fear is the biggest issue for anyone's confidence. … Just be fearless and if you're scared of doing it, do it.”
The Business of Fashion Podcast 