John Bulay takes Paris Fashion Week 2025

Through a fogged-up lens, the menswear fashion space in New Zealand is often overlooked and unrepresented. But look a little closer, and you’ll find creatives such as John Bulay working hard to put New Zealand rightfully on the map. With a background in fashion design and an undeniable, and frankly, enviable flair and enthusiasm for good style, the creative consultant, stylist, buyer and DJ (yes, he does it all) was a natural fit to join Loaded NZ on a recent trip to Paris for Fashion Week. We caught up with the local creative after his whirlwind week to get the inside scoop on one of the style schedule’s most notable events.

What brought you to Paris for Fashion Week?

I was in Paris for Fashion Week to assist with buying for Loaded NZ, a streetwear and fashion store located on High Street in Auckland, New Zealand. I spent about a week there, soaking in the high energy and immersing myself in one of fashion’s most significant global events—even rubbing shoulders with creators, artists and celebrities like A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams and Beyonce—which I can’t complain about!

What did a typical day consist of?

Getting ready, flitting between showrooms, attending shows, exploring, and making mental notes of street style inspo and cool pieces I saw.

What shows did you attend, and what were some standout moments?

I was invited to the Y-3 show, which was held at the historic Palais Brongniart. The runway itself was far from traditional. It was a series of interpretive dance performances, which was both unexpected and incredible to witness. Key pieces included the ‘5 for 5’ capsule—a tribute to five iconic Adidas athletes who wore the number five, such as Zinedine Zidane and Jude Bellingham—as well as pinstripe baseball jersey dedicated to Yohji Yamamoto.

What were some of your favourite spots in Paris—places you ate, explored, or shopped?

One of my favourite food spots was Paperboy Paris. It had such a community vibe. It was a hotspot for fashion influencers and models during Fashion Week, and the sandwiches were next level. Shopping-wise, Supreme, Stüssy, and Dover Street Market were some standout stores, especially as we don’t have these in New Zealand. Dover Street Market was such an immersive shopping experience—it felt like an art museum.

What did you learn from your time there?

The biggest takeaway was the power of authenticity. At Paris Fashion Week, people were unapologetically themselves and weren’t worried about following trends. It was inspiring to be in a space where self-expression was everything. It was also a great opportunity to network and make connections—especially coming from New Zealand, where access to global events like this is rare. Many showrooms are invite-only, so being able to attend and represent our part of the world was super humbling.