Balenciaga Reimagines Y2K Paparazzi Shots for New Le City Bag Campaign Featuring Paris Hilton, Tyra Banks and More
2000s-era paparazzi shots have gotten a high fashion makeover with Balenciaga’s latest Le City campaign.
Paris Hilton and supermodels Amber Valletta, Alek Wek, Claudia Schiffer, Alessandra Ambrosio, Tyra Banks, Malgosia Bela and Natasha Poly appear in digitally altered imagery incorporating the label’s hero handbag.
More from WWD
A watermark inspired by stock photo websites underlines the concept of paparazzi imagery, reimagining how style icons have worn the Le City over the years.
Originally named the Lariat or the Motorcycle, Balenciaga’s former creative director Nicolas Ghesquière introduced the City bag design in 2001. Stakeholders weren’t convinced the bag — known for its slouchy silhouette and rugged hardware — would be profitable, especially in the era of ultra-feminine Louis Vuitton and Fendi designs.
At first, only 25 City bags were produced. Kate Moss was one of its first celebrity carriers, and was frequently photographed with the bag, leading to its commercial success. Other A-listers followed suit: Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, Nicole Richie and Sienna Miller all touted City bags in the 2000s, typically in paparazzi snapshots.
Balenciaga played on the success of the City bag in later collections, including the Le Cagole and Neo Classic lines, but the house officially revived the design in April 2024 with a campaign starring none other than Moss.
Renamed Le City, Balenciaga said it “studied and remodeled” numerous archival bags, maintaining its 25-panel construction and defining features such as its metal corner buckles, while improving upon it “in terms of sustainable production.”
The revamped Le City comes in small and medium sizes, and in a range of colors.
“It’s been a while since we have had an ‘It’ bag in the market, so we are thrilled to see some of these greatest hits making a comeback,” Will Cooper, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of women’s designer ready-to-wear, shoes and handbags at Saks, told WWD in April.
“Customers feel confident to invest in these bags that have stood the test of time,” he explained. “We are seeing established customers who might not have owned these bags before buying them for the first time, as well as new, younger customers who are aspiring to add them to their closets.”
Cooper cited “a lot of buzz around relaunches such as the Balenciaga Le City bag,” and other recent revivals.
Paris Hilton, Claudia Schiffer, Tyra Banks Flaunt 2000s Style Nostalgia in Balenciaga City Bag Paparazzi Campaign [PHOTOS]
Launch Gallery: Paris Hilton, Claudia Schiffer, Tyra Banks Flaunt 2000s Style Nostalgia in Balenciaga City Bag Paparazzi Campaign [PHOTOS]
Best of WWD
All About Audrey Hepburn's Iconic 'Sabrina' Dress: Who Designed It and Where It Is Today
The Village People Costumes: What To Know About the Characters in the Musical Group
First Ladies Inaugural Fashions from Eleanor Roosevelt to Jill Biden
Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
