The French content creator and model chats about all things fashion&mdash;including the latest additions to her wardrobe and Parisian styling tips.&nbsp;

In the realm of global fashion figures, L&eacute;na Mahfouf is&mdash;and has been&mdash;on top. Whether you know her from her early YouTube days as L&eacute;na Situations or from her many chic red carpet or front row moments, her influence is undeniable.&nbsp;
Over a decade into her career as a content creator in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle spaces, Mahfouf has begun to branch out. Now, she's the one in front of the camera. Her latest triumph includes a starring slot in Free People's Spring/Summer 2026 campaign, shot in her hometown, Paris.&nbsp;
For Mahfouf, fashion (and the culture that surrounds it) is about sincerity, so whether she's talking about the latest additions to her wardrobe, writing her newest book, or stepping out on a red carpet, she brings her signature flair each and every time.&nbsp;
"People can feel when something is genuine. So even in a campaign, I try to bring the same instinct and honesty I had when I first started creating content," Mahfouf tells L'OFFICIEL.&nbsp;
Below, see our full conversation with Mahfouf, who talks about exploring her personal style, keeping the sartorial inspiration flowing, and her recent role as the face of Free People's newest campaign.&nbsp;

L&rsquo;OFFICIEL: The collection is all about playful, romantic bohemian style. How does that align with your own personal tastes?&nbsp;
L&Eacute;NA MAHFOUF: I&rsquo;ve always been drawn to pieces that feel effortless but still expressive, and that&rsquo;s what I love about Free People. There&rsquo;s a real attention to detail&ndash;the textures, the movement&ndash;that makes everything feel special but still easy to wear. I especially loved the <a href="https://www.freepeople.com/lena-mahfouf/?fromSiteSwitch=true">Butterfly Babe Maxi Dress</a>. It has that romantic, almost nostalgic feeling, but you can style it in a very modern, personal way. That balance between femininity and freedom feels aligned with how I dress every day.
L&rsquo;O: The collection also sees a lot of layered looks for spring and summer's constantly fluctuating weather. Are there any styling tips or tricks you turn to for the season?&nbsp;
LM: What I like about Free People is that everything is designed to work together, so layering feels effortless. I usually start with something light, such as the <a href="https://www.freepeople.com/shop/someone-like-you-cami/?color=068">Someone Like You Cami</a> or a slip, and then build around it, adding a jacket like the <a href="https://www.freepeople.com/shop/sweet-nothings-jacket/?color=011">Sweet Nothings Jacket</a> or mixing in something more oversized. It&rsquo;s about creating contrast while maintaining that sense of ease, so you can adapt throughout the day without overthinking it.
L&rsquo;O: Are there any particular aesthetics or trends you&rsquo;re loving (or hating) at the moment? What are you looking forward to seeing from the fashion world in the upcoming seasons?
LM: I&rsquo;m less focused on trends themselves and more inspired by the idea of trying new things in my own way. For me, it&rsquo;s about being unapologetic with how you dress, not waiting for validation, and expressing yourself more freely. I do love the return of delicate, lingerie-inspired pieces but what matters most is how you make them your own. Free People makes that very easy with pieces that can be layered and reinterpreted in different ways, so it always feels personal.
L&rsquo;O: How has your personal style evolved over the years, and how does your involvement in this campaign reflect that? Do you have any big fashion inspirations?
LM: My style has evolved with me. I feel more like a woman today, and that shows in how I dress. I&rsquo;m more confident, and I don&rsquo;t feel the need to hold back or dress for other people&rsquo;s expectations. I trust my instincts more. This campaign reflects that, and it feels very aligned with who I am now. It&rsquo;s about mixing feminine pieces with something more casual or unexpected, pairing a romantic top with denim or boots. There&rsquo;s a sense of freedom in that, which feels very true to me.

L&rsquo;O: The campaign was shot in Paris, where you're from. How does the collection (and shoot) embody the city's energy?&nbsp;
LM: Paris has this mix of elegance and nonchalance that&rsquo;s hard to define but easy to feel. The shoot reflected that feeling with softness and a sense of spontaneity. I think Free People fits beautifully into this lifestyle because it&rsquo;s not about being too polished, it&rsquo;s about how you make something your own.&nbsp;
L&rsquo;O: In your opinion, what sartorial elements or attitudes best embody French fashion/style?
LM: For me, it&rsquo;s more about attitude than specific pieces. There&rsquo;s a sense of ease&mdash;you didn&rsquo;t try too hard, even if you did. I think that&rsquo;s why I connect with Free People as well, because it has that same spirit. It&rsquo;s about wearing something because it feels right, and then adding your own twist to it.

L&rsquo;O: You started your career as the one creating the content. What has the shift been like as you've started to participate in front of the camera in campaigns like this one? Are there any wise words or things you've picked up along the way that help bring your signature energy and style to each new project?
LM: It&rsquo;s definitely different, but I think what made this collaboration special is that it still felt very personal and creative. Free People gave me the space for individuality, which is something I value a lot. I&rsquo;ve learned that the most important thing is to stay connected to yourself.
L&rsquo;O:&nbsp;In between new projects and creating content, when you finally get a moment to yourself, what&rsquo;s something you do that instantly brings you back to you?
LM: Writing has become a really important way for me to reconnect with myself. Whether it&rsquo;s working on a project or just taking time to reflect, it helps me slow down and organize my thoughts. After everything moves so fast, those quiet moments feel essential, and they bring me back to something very simple and grounding.
L&rsquo;O: Every It girl has her signature. What&rsquo;s the one thing you do, wear, or swear by that makes people go, &ldquo;Yep, that&rsquo;s so you&rdquo;?&nbsp;
LM: I love mixing pieces that feel contrasting&mdash;for example, something romantic with something more casual. Even in this collection, pairing the <a href="https://www.freepeople.com/shop/we-the-free-fable-low-rise-twisted-bowed-jeans/?color=014">Fable Low-Rise Twisted Bowed Jeans</a> with a softer top. It creates that contrast that feels very &ldquo;me.&rdquo;
L&rsquo;O: Finally, where&rsquo;s your go-to unwind spot after a hectic work day or a long shoot&mdash;spa, salon, coffee shop, bakery, or somewhere else?
LM: It&rsquo;s actually Los Angeles. It&rsquo;s a place where I can disconnect and slow down in a different way. I spent time there writing my book, so it&rsquo;s very tied to reflection and creativity for me. It feels like a reset, and somewhere I can step back, breathe, and reconnect with myself.

Léna Mahfouf On Her 'Unapologetic' Approach to Personal Style

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