Photos captured by The Cobra Snake
A Stunning Showcase at Balenciaga Winter 25
Paris Fashion Week reached a fever pitch as Balenciaga unveiled its highly anticipated Winter 25 Collection, but the night was far from over. Just 90 minutes after the runway lights dimmed, an elite crowd of models, industry insiders, and underground tastemakers made their way to La Java Paris for an exclusive afterparty unlike any other. The masterminds behind this electrifying event? None other than Subculture, the underground rave curators best known for their redefining nightlife events in Los Angeles and New York.
From LA Raves to Paris Fashion’s Inner Circle
For this one-night-only spectacle, Subculture teamed up with Balenciaga’s own runway composer since 2017, BFRND, to inject a raw, unfiltered dose of Los Angeles nightlife into the heart of Paris. The result? Subculture Fashion Victim—a chaotic, glamorous, and high-energy collision of fashion, music, and excess.
Drenched in pink leopard, zebra print, and rhinestone decadence, the event embraced the addiction to fashion with a wink to early 2000s paparazzi-fueled mayhem. Guests entered a world where underground club energy met couture-level opulence, and the vibe was as intoxicating as the tequila being poured behind the bar.
818 Tequila Meets Hollywood Liquor Mart Realness
Speaking of tequila, Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila ensured the drinks flowed all night, providing an elevated selection of curated cocktails with a distinctly LA twist. The drink menu—designed to mimic the gritty liquor marts that line Hollywood’s streets—featured Tequila Espresso Martinis, Kendall’s Favorite Marg, and a Tequila Paloma, all served under the glow of flickering neon and barbed wire aesthetic. This wasn’t just another luxury event; this was a tribute to the intersection of high fashion and underground culture.
A Legendary Venue, A New Era of Fashion Nightlife
La Java, one of Paris' oldest and most iconic nightlife venues, became the epicenter of fashion’s most exclusive afterparty. From 9 PM to 5 AM, the space pulsed with Subculture’s signature sound, brought to life by some of LA’s best underground DJs and performers. The dancefloor became a melting pot of fashion elite and Parisian nightlife royalty, all moving to the same hypnotic beats, blurring the line between high fashion and subversive underground energy.
From the Runway to Rave—The Hosts Behind the Madness
Subculture founders, WorldWideGoth and LilGucciPurse, California-born nightlife disruptors with a reputation for pushing the boundaries of club culture, made their grand entrance straight from the Balenciaga show. After a quick outfit change into something “more breathable and slutty,” they hit the venue, making sure every detail—from the lighting to the DJ lineup—was perfectly curated for maximum impact.
As the night stretched into morning, it became clear that Subculture Fashion Victim wasn’t just another afterparty; it was a cultural moment, a seamless fusion of the underground and high fashion. In a city known for its exclusivity, Subculture proved that the most unforgettable experiences happen when worlds collide.
A Lineup Blending the finest of LA, Tokyo and Paris
More than just an afterparty, Subculture Fashion Victim was a full-throttle collision of underground music, fashion, and unfiltered energy. Each artist brought their own signature flair, turning La Java into the hottest room in Paris that night.
Alice Longyu Gao doesn’t just play music, she curates moments. Flying in from LA with her harp in tow, she delivered a set that blended high-energy dance beats with haunting ballads, proving once again that high fashion and high drama go hand in hand.
Lil Mariko, arrived fresh off the Balenciaga Winter 25 runway she walked in shortly before, and didn’t need an introduction—one beat of Where’s My Juul? and the crowd was already screaming. Her mix of screamo, satire, and pop was equal parts chaos and catharsis, making her set feel like a stylish tantrum in the best way possible.
N2—Tokyo’s rave authority—landed in Paris with a set that pulsed with the future sounds of Japan’s underground. As the founder of Kyun Desu, she’s already worked with major fashion houses, and at Fashion Victim, she kept the crowd locked in from start to finish.
CTRFÇN, four friends from France who refuse to be just a band, turned their set into an experience—somewhere between a DJ set, a performance piece, and a sonic fever dream. It was immersive, unpredictable, and effortlessly cool, just like Paris itself.
Of course, LilGucciPurse & WorldWideGoth, the duo behind Subculture, took to the decks to keep the momentum going. Bringing their signature blend of LA and NYC underground to the Parisian night, their DJ sets blurred the lines between fashion party and full-fledged rave, carrying the night straight into sunrise.
Tying it all together? Le Filip, RuPaul’s Drag Race France Season 3 winner, who hosted with razor-sharp wit and just the right amount of chaos. Between raunchy one-liners, off-the-cuff jokes, and an unforgettable lip-sync performance, Le Filip turned the night into a spectacle that was equal parts glamour and pure mayhem.
What’s Next for Subculture?
With Paris now under their belt, Subculture continues to redefine nightlife on a global scale. Whether in Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo, or beyond, one thing is certain—wherever Subculture goes, the underground follows. 48 hours in Paris, and a flight back to LA for their mega rave with Miss Bashful & DBBD on Saturday.
Missed out on Subculture Fashion Victim? Stay tuned. This was just the beginning.
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