In an exclusive sit-down during the final countdown to Paris Fashion Week, we caught up with our featured designer Petra Baptiste to discuss the reality of life behind the sketches. While the fashion world often celebrates the “grind,” she opens up about a different kind of preparation: the necessity of balance, the power of a long Parisian lunch, and why stepping away from the studio is sometimes the most productive thing a creator can do.
On my journey towards Paris Fashion Week 2026, I’m learning—again and again—the importance of balance. I found myself stepping away from the intensity of designing, even though every part of me wanted to stay locked into my schedule, and allowed myself to be fully present at the beautiful restaurant inside Hôtel du Louvre.
It wasn’t easy to break away from work, but I’m deeply aware that socializing and nurturing friendships is just as essential to the process as sketches and fittings. Thankfully, I’ve mastered the art of being present wherever I am, and that made all the difference. What began as a simple two-hour lunch with a friend turned into three and a half hours of blissful laughter, meaningful conversation, and reflection on everything that has transpired along this journey.
We laughed—a lot—so much so that time felt suspended, eventually leading us into a leisurely walk toward Châtelet. The weather was perfect for wandering—cold, but crisp and invigorating, the kind that clears your mind and grounds your spirit.
Moments like these remind me that as I move through the Paris Fashion Week process, making time for my friends isn’t a distraction from the dream; it’s a vital part of sustaining it, fueling both my creativity and my sense of self.