Paris is comprised of every cultural nuance that you can imagine with the most interesting fusions you’ll likely ever come across.  The youth of Paris, much like the city itself, is an eclectic mix of culture and fashion; fascinating art in motion.  It was this diversity that Paris based photographer Hughes Lawson-Body set out to capture in his book Jeunes Parisiens (Paris Youth).

Lawson, who is a regular contributor for magazines like L’Equipe,  GQ, Time, Elle, and WAD, chose to focus on the early teen through 20-something phylum.  Why?  From his perspective, who better to give a true glimpse of  the cosmopolitan city than the cultured, street savvy stylemakers of tomorrow?

The result is a truly mesmerizing work, with page after page of brilliantly photographed images that tell their own unique story, no written commentary required.  Jeunes Parisiens leaves no one out; from chi-chi beaux gosses (beautiful kids),  to bohemians, hipsters, dancers, homeboys and girls, neo-punks, preppies  and  intellectuals, in different colors, shapes, and sizes.  The host of characters are easily identifiable; they are the kids you sit next to at your local café, pass in the hallway of your apartment building,  see on the metro, in the mall or coming out of McDo (French slang for McDonald’s).

Smart and exact, Lawson-Body’s Jeunes Parisiens illustrates the energy, style and attitude of Paris’ young generation in an honest, yet hip cultural anthropological fashion.  Definitely one of the most refreshing takes on Paris and Parisians to hit the shelves in a very long time.

Peep photos of les jeunes after the jump:

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