Ches Barrow’s latest single, Parisian Chic, unveils a musical vision that effortlessly mirrors the sophistication and mystique of Paris itself. Known for her indelible impact in both fashion and music, Barrow launches this track in sync with the close of Paris Fashion Week, setting a scene where glamour meets introspection. as a creative director who has collaborated with brands like Dior and Manolo Blahnik for her editorial shoots through her company Façonner, and founder of the eco-conscious CHES Editions, Barrow’s unique intersection of luxury and sustainability is woven into her music, lending her songs an undeniable allure.
Parisian Chic doesn’t just carry her signature fusion of fashion and sound; it embodies it. Set to the chords of her cherished Schimmel piano, this track combines her well-known grunge-rock edge with jazz-inspired twists. With Barrow writing and producing the piece herself, the song echoes the layered beauty and complexity she knows well from the fashion world. Her lyrics tell a story both empowering and poignant: a strong, passionate woman who, when needed, finds strength in a red lip and a Chanel ensemble, using them as armor. The piano’s steady melody holds through until it erupts in the second verse, following the storyline into what Barrow describes as “beautiful chaos”—a moment where restraint finally gives way.
This single is also steeped in her passion for visual storytelling, inspired by Helmut Newton’s classic photograph, “Le Smoking.” The powerful energy captured in Newton’s work translates here into Barrow’s musical approach, offering a sonic portrait of elegance with an underlying edge. The song’s texture is further enriched with mixing by Brian Scheuble (who has worked with Fiona Apple) and mastering by Chris Gehringer (known for his work with stars like Lady Gaga and Dua Lipa), enhancing Barrow’s vision of a song that’s as evocative as it is sophisticated.
Her previous single, Wild, showed a similar duality of style and substance, earning praise from outlets like Wonderland and Earmilk and even landing a role in a national TV spot. Known for her ability to meld the spirit of rock with the narrative power of alternative pop, Barrow’s songs draw from a deep well of personal experience. In Parisian Chic, she offers listeners another chapter, this time blending her worlds of style and music to craft something as hauntingly beautiful as it is introspective.
With an accompanying music video on the way, where Barrow will appear on screen for the first time, Parisian Chic promises to be more than a song—it’s an experience, merging a cinematic vision with her signature aesthetic. As Ches Barrow continues to blur the lines between music and high fashion, Parisian Chic stands as a testament to her art, her narrative, and her unmatched ability to channel both into an immersive, multidimensional experience. In Barrow’s own words, “Music is the rawness of all of that for me. You’re reading my diary.”
