Balmain Partners with Pokémon for Latest Collab

Looking to catch them all? Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing has just crafted the perfect capsule collection for any Pokémon master in training. In what’s probably the most unexpected high-fashion collaboration of the year, the maison teamed up with the global phenomenon uniting Pokémon trainers and proud members of the Balmain Army alike. Leaning into the Japanese video game’s imaginative world, the capsule collection see's the adorable mascot, Pikachu stamped on everything from t-shirts to bags. And for all the sneaker heads out there, expect an electrifying rendition of the brand’s signature B-Bold low-tops.

‘Pokémon’s bright pop aesthetic and captivating creatures have always appealed to me,’ explains Rousteing. ‘Today, they make me think of an earlier, simpler time, when we all shared a rosy vision of all the positive changes that we were certain that digital innovations would make possible’. The irreverent video-game is a departure from the designer’s structured power-dressing and embellished thigh-grazing minis. But as his recent couture collection for Jean Paul Gaultier proves, he's not shy of taking us on a nostalgia trip.

The collaboration also see's Balmain further its exploration of digital spaces with the creation of NFC-badges. For the uninitiated thats Near Field Communication tokens that will be avilable for purchase at select Balmain boutqieus and can be used to unlock content on multiplayer online battle arena Pokémon UNITE. Looking to increase consumer engagement, each of the 15 unique badges will give access to exclusive items, prizes, as well as tickets to the Balmain Festival as part of the upcoming Paris Fashion Week.

You can check out the entire Balmain x Pokémon collab on the Balmain website.