For those who dream big and fight tooth and nail for their goals, success is easier to achieve. You have to stay focused, collected, and avoid distractions. And even though the path is tough, you can truly reach the stars if that’s what you go after. At least, that’s the mentality that fashion designer Elliot De-Graft has. And it’s the right one. Together with filmmaker Andrea Nazarian, they present the documentary-style film Still Alive in Paris, an intimate portrait of the Germany-born, Paris-based designer in his unstoppable route to success.
Elliott was originally born and raised in Bremen, Germany, and later moved to Düsseldorf. However, he knew he had to set his eyes for the French capital, which today still stands as one of the most influential cities in the fashion industry. According to him, “Paris is the most inspiring place I’ve lived so far: the architecture, the respect for craftsmanship, and the deep cultural appreciation for art — it’s everywhere! It’s impossible not to feel creatively energised here.” So, it became the perfect place to develop Still Alive Paris, his brand.
Before moving, though, he already had a “business mentality,” as Elliott’s mother comments in the candid documentary. “It was always my dream — as a seventeen-year-old boy who dressed ‘strange’ in the eyes of my classmates back in my small hometown,” he recalls. “I always had a strong understanding of the power of clothing, symbols, philosophy, and how colours and shapes can evoke emotion.” But a creative mind like his, which wants to shake things up and influence the culture for the better, couldn’t stay in a not-so-creative place. “After school I realised this place [Bremen] is not for me because I felt like there was something more for me.” And boy, he did.
In the seven-minute-long documentary by Andrea Nazarian, we follow the designer walking across his now adoptive city, but also, achieving a professional milestone: putting together a show for his Spring/Summer 2025 collection, which Nazarian made sure to capture beautifully — especially the behind the scenes like casting the wide variety of models.
“I was preparing a showcase in Paris to present my work in filmmaking and editorial art direction during Fashion Week, and I had the idea to combine the event with the show of a local designer whose vision aligned with my own,” she comments. “I had been connected to Elliot a few months earlier through his platform, Creative Collective, and felt a synergy between our worlds. I reached out to see if he’d be open to collaborating, creating a short film together, and tying my showcase to his upcoming fashion show.”
Despite the stress, the struggle, and the rush of the moment (“It was a high-pressure situation, but the adrenaline gave the evening a kind of electricity,” Andrea says), the video of Still Alive in Paris is able to come across as calm, even soothing. “Much like a top-level athlete or performer, there’s a kind of poise required to withstand that level of strain. Our intention was to show that tension, not through chaos, but through calm. The pressure is always there, but so is the grace,” Andrea continues.
Elliot confesses struggling financially after first moving to the city in 2022, and even having to go back to Bremen to sort things out. But that honesty and transparency is probably one of the main reasons this video is so unique — especially in the fashion world. “Several months of deep conversation with Elliot really shaped the heart of the film. We spoke at length about what matters most to him: his vision and creative process, the highs and lows of his personal journey, and his family,” shares Andrea.
“This film is deeply rooted in real life, and that’s what sets it apart. Nowadays, so much in fashion feels disconnected from reality. But real life means daily emotions, values, imperfection — all the things that make us human,” adds Elliot. “Especially in the fashion world, everything is often overly polished and glamorous. This film doesn’t follow that script. It shows a real person behind the work; not just a designer, but a human being.”
Today, Elliot is still based in Paris, working tirelessly to make a brand that goes beyond just clothes. “I look up to my pioneers, those who didn’t just design clothes, but shaped culture. Virgil Abloh, of course. He changed everything for my generation. He made it possible to imagine a space for someone like me in this industry and proved that fashion could be a language for bigger ideas,” Elliot shares. “Patrick Mohr, who dominated the German fashion industry more than a decade ago, or Miguel Adrover. I feel like they all had something to say, and if there is nothing to say, what is even the point?”
Looking to become the best version of himself that he can be, Elliot is now more focused than ever. “My daily routine is grounded: I wake up, work from home, check in with manufacturers outside the city, and plan upcoming projects,” the designer explains. “Living in Paris has challenged me to elevate my craft. The French have high standards when it comes to detail, quality, and execution. I’ve had to grow — fast.”
As he continues to grow, we’ll keep an eye on his next moves. And probably you should too, because his voice is about to be heard sooner that you might expect.