Inside ‘Off Campus’ Star Mika Abdalla’s First Paris Fashion Week

Abdalla was one of the many VIPs in attendance for Alessandro Michele’s spring 2027 Valentino presentation—a pinch-me moment for the star, given yesterday marked Abdalla’s very first time navigating the PFW experience. “It was such an honor to debut with Valentino,” says Abdalla. Though she is no stranger to visiting the City of Light: “I’ve been to Paris a few times now,” she says. “And I do have my spots, but I’ll be keeping those a secret for as long as I can.” (We love a professional gatekeeper.)

The show, held at the striking Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève venue, saw every guest bring a book to donate: Abdalla brought Jane Austen’s classic Emma. “It was just so grand and beautiful,” says Abdalla of the show. “When I wasn’t admiring the room we were in, my eyes were absolutely glued to all those floral sandals. A pair in every color, please.”

The actor’s own front-row outfit rivaled the runway looks. The star leaned into Valentino’s whimsical energy, choosing an upbeat chiffon dress in chartreuse from the resort 2027 collection. “This being my first time attending a show, I wanted to embrace youth and freshness,” says Abdalla. “I don’t usually gravitate towards that much color, but I loved the movement in the dress I chose. It was a warm and sunny weekend in Paris as well, so the light fabric was perfect.”

The colorful ensemble served as a heightened contrast to her day-to-day style, which typically leans more casual—yet still retro. “My closet is typically full of vintage pieces. I’ve collected from family members over the years,” says Abdalla. However, her approach to fashion has changed drastically as her star continues to rise. “These days I’ve been living out of a suitcase, so I’ve had to simplify a little bit. Right now, I’m finding most of my self-expression in a good boot or a sunny.”

Aaaand we’re serious now.

Photo: Hippolyte Petit

Post-Valentino, Abdalla’s moment in Paris unfortunately came to a close. She’s onto a little R&R—well deserved, we’d say. “Now I get to see my parents for the first time in a few months,” she says. “We’re going to an event that’s had a special place in our family for as long as I can remember, so I’m really looking forward to sharing it with them.”

After squeezing in some family time, the star will then be hopping right back into work, continuing to grapple with her newfound explosion of fame. “I’ll dive back into the other projects I’ve been working on since wrap,” she hints. “I’m curious what day-to-day life will be like—that’s when I’ll get a better sense of how much has changed.” We couldn’t resist asking if there’s anything she can share about season two of Off Campus. “You’ll just have to wait and see!”

Below, see more photos from inside of Abdalla’s first Paris Fashion Week.