Talking To Some Of The Street Style Standouts At Afropunk Paris

Afropunk, the music festival born from director James Spooner’s 2003 documentary of the same name, landed in Paris this past weekend for the third year in a row. Originally drawn from Spooner’s desire to showcase the experience of being the only black kid in the punk scene, the festival (which Spooner hasn’t been involved with for almost a decade) has grown into a massive global brand that is synonymous with a no-holds-barred type of self-expression that honors cultural diversity and inclusion.

Known for both its music and distinct style, Afropunk Paris is a loud and colorful disruption to the often conservative fashion capital. While Paris fashion mainly exists within the confines of minimalist rules and neutral palettes, Afropunk fashion is an explosive mix of color and creativity that many people don’t normally have access to in their daily lives. After all, there is a limit to the line we can cross with dress codes at work, for example. When you contrast Afropunk’s style with that of haute couture, it’s clear that its spirit is one of rebellion.

“I live in a world where I have to be responsive to cultural norms. But going to Afropunk in a full-body, sequined cat suit gives me an opportunity to live more expansively with the expression of creativity and liberation. I can grow into a bigger space that I wouldn’t normally step into,” says Carri, from Brooklyn, New York. 

Many find Afropunk a safe place to express their cultural roots, and not only be accepted but celebrated for it. It’s an opportunity to be fully engaged with one’s cultural identity without restriction, judgment, or fear of discrimination. 

“Today I dress how I feel, a deep feeling rooted in the mix between culture, history, and state of mind. I wanted to be myself, not what fashion wants me to be. I come from Guadeloupe [the French Caribbean], and our history allowed us to experience a mix of different cultures—this spirit is present here,” says Ashaira, from Paris. 

Parisian style blogger Tania, originally from the West African country Benin, says, “Here, I can mix Afro-culture with other styles. It’s not something you usually see in normal, everyday life. It is empowering for African culture, and I love that.”

“I am Arab-American; I am Lebanese. I like to incorporate trends from Lebanon in my daily wear. I grew up in a homogenous white town, and I felt [like an] outcast. Afropunk is a great place to represent where I am from, connect with others, and celebrate our differences,” says Dalia, from Miami.

In Paris, the international convergence adds another layer to the Afropunk style culture, with many attendants drawing inspiration from their familial connections to places like Africa and the West Indies, as well as their experience of being a first-generation immigrant growing up in Europe. As some have noted, it has a significantly different essence than the one in Brooklyn. 

The festival’s fashion also serves as a political voice. Wearing a pale pink cropped shirt with the handwritten words “Stop Killing Black Trans Women,” along with names like “Trayvon Martin,” “Sandra Bland,” and “Tamir Rice,” Joshua from Washington, D.C, was intentional about making a political statement. “It was important for me to share this message on this T-shirt because I think that people have this perception that, as a black American, things are better for me, like it’s a dream. People say, ‘Oh you live in America, you must be so free.’ It’s important to highlight that much of the black experiences globally are indeed, very similar,” Joshua says. 

Local Parisians and visitors alike find Afropunk Paris to be a place where they can express anything and everything in a city notorious for having a stand-offish society. As Parisian Rebecca says, “It’s not like Parisian spaces at all. Here, everyone is warm. No one does this kind of fashion [in this city]. It’s refreshing to see so many colors! I myself don’t think I own anything gray.” 

While Afropunk has evolved and expanded from its original Brooklyn roots, one thing remains intact: The festival’s creative style still makes it a place that celebrates liberation and rebellion.

"Today I dress how I feel, a deep feeling rooted in the mix between culture, history, and state of mind. I wanted to be myself, not what fashion wants me to be. I come from Guadaloupe, and our history allowed us to experience a mix of different cultures. This spirit is present here."

—Ashhaira, Paris 

"I live in a world where I have to be responsive to cultural norms. But going to Afropunk in a full-bodied sequined cat suit gives me an opportunity to live more expansively with the expression of creativity and liberation."

—Carri, Brooklyn

"I’ve worked in different places, capturing different perspectives from my travels. My pants are from Malawi, my necklace is from Thailand. I feel there’s not enough black Americans who do this—travel. Why not see, experience, and connect in a bigger way? I want to see more black Americans represented in a global arena."

—Christine, L.A.

"I am Arab-American; I am Lebanese. I like to incorporate trends from Lebanon in my daily wear. I grew up in a homogenous white town, and I felt like an outcast. I wanted to leave and see the world. Afropunk is a great place to represent where I am from, connect with others, and celebrate our differences. I’ve learned so much from my travels."

—Dalia, Miami

"It was important for me to share this message on this T-shirt because I think that people have this perception that as a black American, things are better for me, like it’s a dream. People say, 'Oh you live in America, you must be so free.' It’s important to highlight that much of the black experiences globally are indeed, very similar."

—Joshua, Washington, D.C.

"I am an animator. I draw and make cartoons. I started wearing a lot of colors five years ago when I started to study art. So this is when I started expressing myself, not only on paper but in what I’m wearing. I started making my own jewelry. I’m all about colors everywhere! I know that in traditional fashion, you can’t really wear these things, but I just do and express whatever I want.

Everyone here is just like, 'Do you, boo.' This is the spirit of it! They are not embarrassed at all, they just do what they want, and I want to be a part of it!"

—Delphine, Paris 

"People have a safe place here to be who they want to be. It’s not about people following trends, but wearing what they are comfortable with. That’s what makes it unique and creative."

—Merryn Jeann, Australia

"I am inspired by cabaret and '20s-style fashion, and I pick up things from different eras and mix them up. Here, I see the crazy fashion, and I get inspired more here than I do from magazines. Everyone here is proud of themselves, and I love how they are showing it. It’s not like Parisian spaces at all. Here, everyone is warm. No one does this kind of fashion [in this city]. It’s refreshing to see so many colors! I don’t think I own anything gray."

—Rebecca, Paris 

"I am like a chameleon. I don’t define myself as one style, I like to change. It just depends on my mood. I like to explore everything. Here, I can mix Afro-culture with other styles. It’s not something you usually see in normal, everyday life. It is empowering African culture, and I love that!"

—Tania, Paris