Collaborations are a commonplace in the industry—you can say that they’re a foolproof way to generate excitement for a brand. The sometimes unusual pairings create curiosity and eventually anticipation, and in this case the partnership between retail giant Farfetch and celebrity-favorite Balenciaga partnership is no different. What sets it apart from most though, is that behind the two big names is a great cause: the team up is bringing awareness to endangered species and their plight in the modern world. What’s more, a portion of the profit from the collection will also be contributed to the Swiss organization International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) that champions the conservation of nature.
The collection will immediately remind you of what they’re fighting for: on the pieces are illustrations of beloved but also endangered species. These include the Giant Panda, the Asian Elephant, the Northern White Rhinoceros and the Blue Whale, which make for great designs but are also in dire need of protection. The clothes are available for everyone to enjoy, which is our way of saying that it is available for both men and women, as well as children. And there are plenty of choices as well: there are 107 pieces that are available to cop overall.
Advocating for the environment and its inhabitants does not end there. Balenciaga and Farfetch go all the way through by releasing the collection free of leather and fur. The duo prove that it does not have to be boring (and at this time, the opinion that alternatives to leather and fur is bland is one that is becoming out of fashion) by creating them in previously unseen color combinations, which is why we have interesting coats, jackets and sweats that come in pops of color. Fans of the Balenciaga Speed and Track Trainers will be happy to know that they are standouts in the release, although that might mean missing out on sizes and preferred colorways.
José Neves, Farfetch’s co-chairman and CEO, expressed excitement on the collaboration. Balenciaga is one of the top performing labels on the online retailer, and an opportunity to sell exclusive pieces with the popular house is just hard to pass. Neves is also hoping to capture new fans with the collection, while also supporting environmental causes. Meanwhile, Balenciaga has already devoted itself to certain causes in the past year, creating for instance the FW18 collection with the World Food Programme in mind. Its CEO Cédric Charbit has similarly expressed delight at the partnership as its advocacies are now part of the company’s vision.
The collection is now available for purchase over at Farfetch. Meanwhile, you can check some of the photos from the campaign. No need to adjust anything on your device as the effect is intentional. According to Balenciaga, the campaign is supposed to induce peace as well as serenity with the landscapes, even if it is done with bright colors and an illusion of speed.
Image credits: Balenciaga, Farfetch
