Balenciaga x Adidas Showcase Surprise Collab At Show Teased With Faux Cash
By Alexa Heah, 23 May 2022
In an unexpected twist, guests at Balenciaga’s Spring 2023 runway show, which took place on the iconic trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange, were treated to the first look at the fashion house’s collaboration with Adidas.
According to Highsnobiety, the collection ranges from US$210 for a pair of co-branded socks to a US$5,500 hooded leather jacket. Many of the sportswear giant’s signature silhouettes, including its tripled-striped tracksuits, hoodies, and jerseys, are reimagined in Balenciaga-style, with oversized fits taking center stage.
Adidas confirmed the joint project in a press release, saying that the partnership, inspired by the late 90s and early 2000s, “will see the fashion house subvert and reinterpret the signature DNA of the Three Stripes.”
Interestingly, one of the hottest talking points of the fashion show occurred even before the launch took place—as Balenciaga had issued guests an invite in the form of a stack of fake cash.
Keeping in line with its Wall Street location, the unconventional invites featured ‘BALENCIAGA DOLLARS’, an imitation of the US hundred-dollar bill with Benjamin Franklin’s mural in the middle. Upon closer look, instead of the usual text on the note, guests were given information on the date and time for the show.
To make the idea even more impressive, the fashion label had even tapped on smell researcher Sissel Tolaas to create a special scent for the stack of money.
Check out the video below to watch the entire runway show.
[via HYPEBEAST and Highsnobiety, cover image via Adidas]