Unpacking the Adidas x Balenciaga Collab
It’s time for a rebrand.
by STELLA RINGBLOM ★ NOVEMBER 17, 2022
Following last month’s news when Balenciaga and Adidas both cut ties with Kanye West, the brands released a campaign featuring images of their new collaboration with each other. For a period of time, Adidas especially received a handful of hate. The #boycottadidas began trending on Twitter, and people were burning their Gazelles because of the brand’s silence regarding the musician’s actions. However, the sports company recently released a statement saying that “Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech. Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful, and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness.” With the help of Hadid fronting the collaboration, both companies seem to have started receiving positive feedback again.
While the first part made its debut on the runway at the New York Stock Exchange, the second part launched just a couple of weeks ago with Bella Hadid as the cover model. The campaign images include Bella Hadid, Isabelle Huppert, Han So Hee, Jermell Charlo, BCW, and Khadim Sock, all wearing athleisure to the office. The collection comprises the typical Adidas wide-leg pants, oversized t-shirts, and crewnecks, all combined with the stripe and the Adidas and Balenciaga logo. Although the collection focused more on athleisure, it includes denim, purses, and jewelry.
Even though Adidas tends to be more affordable, this new collection is far from it. Nevertheless, if you’re interested in purchasing at least one item from the collection, but don’t know what’s worth it, keep reading to find out which three items I think are “worth it.” Track pants are back this year (thankfully), and Adidas and Balenciaga created the perfect pair. The baggy wide-leg sweatpants with the classic side stripe are great everyday baggy pants. These can be styled in various ways all year round. They can be dressed down with a basic crop top or dressed up with a knitted sweater. The one downside is that they retail for $1,050, so they’re not an item most people add to their carts and ask their dad for; however, they’re wanted in many closets, including mine.
Another item I feel I can’t live without but will have to because it retails for $1,700 is the classic oversized logo hoodie in green. Considering I now live in arguably one of the coldest states in the U.S., this seems like an essential item, but I can’t justify the price.
Finally, my closet feels empty without the tracksuit jacket to match the pants. I wouldn’t wear these two items separately; they’re awesome staples. I envision pairing the jacket with Levis, a white crop top underneath, and some white sneakers for a simple everyday look.
After facing much backlash from their association with Kanye West, many are left wondering if the collaboration between Balenciaga and Adidas is a way to regain the trust of their customers and a way to re-establish their brands. As of now, the collection has been showered with positive feedback, and many celebrities have been seen showing it off. Only time will tell if the overpriced collection sells. Still, something is persuading me to believe that the collection will be sold out within minutes by using America’s it girl to front the campaign.