Pokémon Enters the High Fashion World With Upcoming Balmain Collaboration

Pokémon is more than just a loveable game and cartoon franchise, it’s a part of fashion. From its collaborations with thisisneverthat and COMME des GARÇONS to Billionaire Boys Club and of course Hypebeast, Pokémon has established itself as a multifaceted entity that spans lifestyle, culture, and trends. Now, it steps into the world of high fashion, welcoming a collaboration with Olivier Rousteing‘s Balmain.

Dubbed the Pokémon x Balmain Trainer Fashion Set, the collaborative capsule looks to not only build on the fashion house’s energetic allure and bold aesthetic, but also be a creation for the community that Pokémon speaks to. “Pokémon’s bright pop aesthetic and captivating creatures have always appealed to me,” says Rousteing. He adds, “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.”

Both have a shared passion for imagination and community — Balmain has its legendary and ever-growing “Army,” while Pokémon Trainers are found all around the world. The capsule brings these spirits together, working the franchise’s iconography on signature Balmain clothing, accessories and footwear for the perfect marriage of joy and creativity.

Balmain’s archival maze-inspired “Labyrinth” motif frequents much of the collection, appearing across sweaters, tank tops and other T-shirt variants in yellow hues derived from the world of Pokémon. Likewise, Pikachu can be found across the collection, while video-game motifs like a geometric “Labyrinth” logo nod to the franchise’s ’90s roots with consoles like the Gameboy Color.

Elsewhere, flared track pants usher in the high-end Balmain attitude, but hits of yellow — spikey like flames — reference the franchise. Similarly, bags are adorned with bolts on their leather straps and additional bolt-like hangtags as a play on Pikachu’s tail, while a pair of Balmain B-Bold sneakers also gets the full collaborative treatment.

Pokémon x Balmain Trainer Fashion Set also welcomes a partnership with SharpEnd. Commencing September 5, 15 NFC-enabled badges will be on offer at select Balmain stores, enabling customers to access a unique dual-partnership experience while presenting the chance to win VIP tickets to the upcoming Balmain Festival during Paris Fashion Week and immediate access to the Balmain Fashion set in Pokémon UNITE.

Those that play Pokémon UNITE can also unlock the collaborative set for free by logging into the game (for seven consecutive days) from 7 a.m. UTC on September 2 to midnight, September 30. Speaking further on this and the collaboration, Rousteing said, “After we had all downloaded the Pokémon UNITE app, well, I think every member of my team got a little addicted to that game. I guess that is no big surprise, since we all fondly remember the original games from so long ago. Playing the game at the same time that we were designing the special Balmain-Pokémon badges and jackets that Pokémon UNITE Trainers can unlock added to the fun — and I’m really looking forward to having more time for the game, once the craziness of Paris Fashion Week is over.”

For the real-life collection, stay tuned to Balmain’s website and boutiques for a September 2 drop. More information can be found on the Pokémon UNITE page.

In other news, Hypebeast has put Martine Rose, Telfar Clemens and Grace Wales Bonner head-to-head in the battle for Louis Vuitton.