Alessandro Michele kickstarted the hack-athon of Balenciaga’s design codes for its Aria Collection earlier in April. Then it was the turn of French fashion house Balenciaga to take over the baton for its Spring 2022 collection in June.
Merch from “The Hacker Project” appeared on 14 looks in the Balenciaga Spring 2022 collection.
Flash forward to this month and the so-called “The Hacker Project” between Balenciaga’s creative director Demna Gvasalia and his Gucci counterpart Alessandro Michele will finally hit stores on November 15.
READ MORE: The New Look Of Couture
If Gucci co-opted some of Balenciaga’s couture-esque silhouettes and designs for its Aria outing, Balenciaga continues that trope by going big with its mashup of the GG monogram with double-B logos to create a one-of-a-kind crossbranded motif that appears on ready-to-wear, accessories and bags. Prices range from $260 to $4,550.
Gucci’s double-G diamond monogram design is transformed to consist of Balenciaga’s double-B logos.
Balenciaga has also given 74 physical spaces around the world – both pop-ups and standalone ones – the Hacker treatment. This special store concept will see carpets and curtains etched with the hybrid Gucci-meets-Balenciaga monogram and windows stained with large graffiti-style Gucci across them.
Balenciaga’s Paragon outlet will boast this look, while its other boutique at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands will retail merchandise from The Hacker Project as per usual.
And as another treat for shoppers who spend at the Paragon outlet: an artist will be on-site to tag their double-B monogram shopping bags at the time of purchase.
They will get to personalise the bag with their first name, with a message that reads: “This Is” their “Bag”. Now, that is one shopping bag you’ll want to keep.