Balenciaga has tapped British artist Damien Hirst for a limited-edition collaboration celebrating 25 years of its iconic Le Metropolis bag. Dubbed “Damienciaga,” the capsule brings Hirst’s recognizable spots, butterfly motifs, and playful sticker graphics to the home’s celebrated purse, alongside a wider collection of attire, equipment, and footwear.
The collaboration lands as Balenciaga celebrates a major milestone for certainly one of its most recognizable equipment. First launched in 2001, the Le Metropolis bag turned a defining purse of the early 2000s, incomes a following amongst celebrities and trend insiders for its relaxed silhouette, mushy leather-based development, and motorcycle-inspired detailing. For its twenty fifth anniversary, the home has turned to Hirst to reinterpret the design by means of the visible language of latest artwork.
Damien Hirst Brings His Signature Paintings to the Le Metropolis
The central piece of the Damienciaga assortment is a reworked model of the Le Metropolis bag, that includes Hirst’s signature multicolored spots. The artist additionally introduces butterfly compositions assembled from his attribute dotted patterns, alongside wing-inspired mandalas and sticker-like graphics that includes capsules, hearts, and Balenciaga branding.
The collaboration extends past purses, with the artist’s visible motifs showing throughout a spread of ready-to-wear and equipment. Spot patterns characteristic on T-shirts, scarves, and wallets, whereas the graphic remedies prolong to hoodies, caps, and bomber jackets. The gathering additionally features a reimagined model of Balenciaga’s Triple S sneaker, giving the footwear a distinctly collectible really feel.
The sneakers are constructed from polyurethane and polyester, arrive in two colorways. Some sizes have been reportedly already unavailable shortly after the gathering’s launch.
A 25-12 months Historical past Behind Balenciaga’s Le Metropolis Bag
Launched by then-creative director Nicolas Ghesquière in 2001, the Le Metropolis shortly developed an identification of its personal. Its slouchy development, distressed leather-based, steel studs, and buckle particulars provided a unique tackle luxurious purses on the time.
Kate Moss turned certainly one of its earliest high-profile admirers, with Sienna Miller, the Olsen twins, and Nicole Richie additionally serving to set up its movie star following. Richie now returns to the Balenciaga universe because the face of the Le Metropolis anniversary marketing campaign.
The bag has since handed by means of a number of artistic eras, with Alexander Wang, Demna, and Pierpaolo Piccioli every providing their interpretations. Regardless of these adjustments, its unique proportions and recognizable {hardware} have remained central to its enchantment.
For Hirst, the anniversary gives a longtime design with a robust cultural identification to work towards. Slightly than introduce a completely new silhouette, the artist transforms an present Balenciaga icon right into a canvas for his paintings.
The Collaboration Arrives Throughout a Management Transition at Balenciaga
The Damienciaga launch additionally comes at an attention-grabbing level in the home’s artistic historical past. Pierpaolo Piccioli’s departure was confirmed by Kering on November 5, lower than two years after his appointment as artistic director in Might 2025. He offered his first assortment for the home in October of that yr, succeeding Demna.
On November 6, Balenciaga introduced that British designer Martine Rose would take over the place, together with her appointment formally starting November 16. Rose will develop into the primary lady to steer the home in its 109-year historical past. She can be conversant in Balenciaga, having beforehand labored as a menswear advisor beneath Demna.
With Rose but to current her first assortment, the Hirst collaboration arrives between two artistic chapters. Its concentrate on the Le Metropolis archive offers the anniversary marketing campaign a transparent connection to the home’s historical past whereas Balenciaga prepares for its subsequent route.
Balenciaga Opens Le Metropolis Home in Paris
The collaboration is a part of a wider anniversary program. On November 10, Balenciaga opened Le Metropolis Home at its historic constructing on Avenue George V in Paris. Operating by means of November 19, the exhibition brings collectively the unique 2001 prototype, uncommon archival editions, and Le Metropolis luggage beforehand owned by celebrities.
The exhibition can be anticipated to journey to New York, Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing, and Seoul, extending the anniversary celebrations to different main trend capitals.
The accompanying marketing campaign options Nicole Richie in her first venture for Balenciaga, whereas Isabelle Huppert seems within the Paris presentation.
The limited-edition Damienciaga assortment is offered by means of Balenciaga’s official website. With the Le Metropolis anniversary bringing renewed consideration to the home’s archive, the collaboration gives collectors one other interpretation of a purse that has remained a part of its identification for 25 years.
Store the gathering
Take a look at extra photographs from the Damienciaga assortment…
Featured picture: Balenciaga
