We are used to seeing photos of celebrities emerging from enormous cars, sunglasses firmly in place and a burly security guard by their side. As they emerge, paparazzi swarm, camera shutters clattering and flashbulbs blinding.

These frantic, frequently captured moments form the creative thread behind Balenciaga’s SS18 Women’s campaign, which was photographed by Paris’ most experienced and best paparazzi and attributed to the Parisian press agency Best Image.

Harnessing the power of the paparazzi, the images show the models using handbags – complete with visible Balenciaga logos - to shield their eyes as they’re escorted swiftly into the Balenciaga Paris stores on Rue Saint Honoré and Avenue Montaigne. The shots mirror reality down to the leather-jacketed minder and the blurred faces of people in the background holding the store doors open.

The images were released on the brand’s Instagram, one look every hour, mimicking our inclination to madly refresh a feed when we eagerly await the latest celebrity gossip or news. As fashion houses take to Instagram to launch entire collections and catwalk looks are instantly available to shop, the line between celebrity, social media star and paparazzi becomes ever more blurred.

Next time you’re exiting a car, try covering your face with your handbag, walking with purpose and frowning with a certain nonchalance. Et voila, you have yourself the perfect paparazzi set up.