Balmain has announced a limited-edition partnership with Pokémon. Much of the new Balmain x Pokémon collection plays with new spins on familiar Balmain signatures, including the house’s slouched hoodies and sneakers, as well as its Labyrinth pattern. The Labyrinth – a maze-inspired motif that was originally designed by Pierre Balmain more than 50 years ago – pops up in several different iterations across the collaboration’s offerings. There are also several new takes on designs that were first introduced on Balmain’s Paris Fashion Week runways – with each offering slightly adjusted to reflect the Pokémon aesthetic, while never veering away from the standards of Balmain’s ateliers.  

The Balmain x Pokémon partnership also includes a digital adventure, created in partnership between Balmain and SharpEnd. From Sept. 5, 15 Balmain x Pokémon NFC-enabled badges will be available for in-person purchase at nine different Balmain boutiques in America, Europe and Asia as well as at Balmain’s retail partner Stadium Goods in Chicago. The badges will permit exclusive access to a Balmain x Pokémon experience, filled with a range of digital content and prizes, including VIP tickets to the upcoming Balmain Festival during Paris Fashion Week and immediate access to the Balmain Fashion set in Pokémon UNITE.  

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“Pokémon’s bright pop aesthetic and captivating creatures have always appealed to me,” says Olivier Rousteing, creative director, Balmain. “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. And that’s a key reason why I’m so happy to partner with Pokémon on this collection – because, right now, we could all use a reminder of those past moments of hope and optimism.” 

 Players of Pokémon UNITE, the strategic Pokémon team battle game developed in partnership with TiMi Studios, can unlock the BALMAIN Fashion Set Trainer fashion item for free by logging into the game seven days in a row between Sept. 2-30.  

Balmain outfit in Pokémon UNITE.

“Balmain is an iconic fashion house that continues to capture the world’s attention with its inspired designs and elevated creativity,” says Kenji Okubo, president, Pokémon Company International. “Pokémon has been a key driver of the cultural zeitgeist for more than 25 years and the key to our success has been our ability to drive innovation. In Balmain we found a partner that shares our values and alongside them we have been able to create something truly special that crosses the physical and digital worlds with fashion.”