EXCLUSIVE: Balmain opts for Pokémon collaboration
PLAY TIME: Pokémon can now be found on French luxury goods — a quick glance at wallets, waving jacket pockets and slumped over T-shirts, the character's lightning bolt tail pointing skyward.
Balmain has teamed up with the Japanese designer of wacky creatures on a Trainer Fashion Set that will live in both physical and digital worlds. It also includes hoodies, jeans, sneakers and backpacks.
"Pokémon's bright pop aesthetic and captivating creatures have always appealed to me," said Rousteing. "Today they remind me of an older, simpler time when we all shared a rosy vision of all the positive changes we were certain digital innovations would make possible."
Related GalleriesRousteing has taken some of the silhouettes seen for the first time on the Balmain catwalk, embellishing them with bright colors, cartoon characters and the house's signature Labyrinth pattern.
The limited-edition collection debuts Thursday at Harrods in London and the following day at Balmain boutiques in Paris, New York, Las Vegas, Shanghai and Chengdu, as well as balmain.com. Prices range from 395 euros to 1,390 euros.
Fans of Pokémon Unite, the team-based battle game, will no doubt be delighted to download a version virtual fashion set for one week's free use when they log into the game between Friday and September 30.
In addition, starting Saturday, Balmain is offering 15 distinct NFC badges that will be available for purchase in nine physical Balmain stores in the United States, Europe and Asia. These badges, created in partnership with tech company SharpEnd, offer access to digital content and the chance to win prizes, including VIP tickets to the Balmain show and music festival during Paris Fashion Week.
A jacket from the limited edition Balmain X Pokémon collection.
Kenji Okubo, President of The Pokémon Company International, praised the "inspired designs and elevated creativity" of Balmain and argued that "the key to our success has been our ability to drive innovation".
Launched in 1996, the Pokémon franchise has spawned video games, an animated television series, books, comic books, trading cards and assorted merchandise.
Balmain has also collaborated with Barbie, Puma, H&M and Beats by Dre.
PLAY TIME: Pokémon can now be found on French luxury goods — a quick glance at wallets, waving jacket pockets and slumped over T-shirts, the character's lightning bolt tail pointing skyward.
Balmain has teamed up with the Japanese designer of wacky creatures on a Trainer Fashion Set that will live in both physical and digital worlds. It also includes hoodies, jeans, sneakers and backpacks.
"Pokémon's bright pop aesthetic and captivating creatures have always appealed to me," said Rousteing. "Today they remind me of an older, simpler time when we all shared a rosy vision of all the positive changes we were certain digital innovations would make possible."
Related GalleriesRousteing has taken some of the silhouettes seen for the first time on the Balmain catwalk, embellishing them with bright colors, cartoon characters and the house's signature Labyrinth pattern.
The limited-edition collection debuts Thursday at Harrods in London and the following day at Balmain boutiques in Paris, New York, Las Vegas, Shanghai and Chengdu, as well as balmain.com. Prices range from 395 euros to 1,390 euros.
Fans of Pokémon Unite, the team-based battle game, will no doubt be delighted to download a version virtual fashion set for one week's free use when they log into the game between Friday and September 30.
In addition, starting Saturday, Balmain is offering 15 distinct NFC badges that will be available for purchase in nine physical Balmain stores in the United States, Europe and Asia. These badges, created in partnership with tech company SharpEnd, offer access to digital content and the chance to win prizes, including VIP tickets to the Balmain show and music festival during Paris Fashion Week.
A jacket from the limited edition Balmain X Pokémon collection.
Kenji Okubo, President of The Pokémon Company International, praised the "inspired designs and elevated creativity" of Balmain and argued that "the key to our success has been our ability to drive innovation".
Launched in 1996, the Pokémon franchise has spawned video games, an animated television series, books, comic books, trading cards and assorted merchandise.
Balmain has also collaborated with Barbie, Puma, H&M and Beats by Dre.
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