Few bags were as iconic in the 2000s as the Balenciaga Le City.
It was the height of the It-bag era when Nicholas Ghesquiere launched the original Balenciaga Le City Bag in 2001. Worn by the supermodels of the early-aughts and It-Girls aplenty, the classic BBag has been spotted on everyone from prominent fashion editors and celebrities alike since its debut.
While the Balenciaga City Bag has evolved quite a bit since its inception two decades ago, this year, the original has made a grand return, crafted from Arena leather and featuring stylistic details integral to Y2K fashion.
Icons Meet
The ionic studding, long laced zipper pulls, and lacquered leather handles have returned. The Le City is back, and its return has now been cosigned by the one and only Kate Moss, an icon in her own right.
The original street style star, and still one to this day, Kate Moss, was seen wearing the City time after time in its heyday. Now, in 2024, 23 years after its original debut, Kate was once again seen with a Le City in hand.
In a move that only Kate Moss could pull off, the model was spotted in London’s posh Notting Hill neighborhood walking her dog wearing over-the-knee heeled boots, a faux fur coat, and a small version of the new Le City back in black with shiny silver hardware. Very practical dog-walking outfit IMO.
Kate’s bag launched this spring and is available via Balenciaga for $2,350.
Great bag. Great brand. I don’t care about any of the manufactured drama around an ad campaign.
The only thing she proves is that greed can overcome morality. I’ll carry any pedophilic brand as long as you pay me big bucks
Nicolas Ghesquiere was the creator of the original City Bag long before Dema came along and his controversial terrible ad campaign. So you think what some crappy designer does should wipe away the entire brilliant history of a brand? You’re part of the problem then.
100%
agree 1000%
Get over yourself I’ve got 6 off these all vintage was a different designer back then
It’s fantastic to finally see the original Balenciaga City represented again after the ‘ad scandal’ Considering this bag made its debut some 20 YEARS BEFORE the ads in question came out, I for one will not be ditching my City Classics anytime soon.
Right? I feel the same way.
I will never buy this brand again (i ended up selling my bag as well) as there is no excuse for pedophiles
Still have more than a few Bals – Cities and original (firsts). I love them and have two daughters who have “discovered early Balenciaga. I knew they were going to come back around. The ad was indeed in bad taste but these were made long before the Russian guy took over Bal.
🙂
I think we can all agree that the ad campaign in question was a huge error in judgement, that does not make everyone at Balenciaga pedophiles, please! Balenciaga has so much history in the fashion world and it should not boil down to one misguided ad campaign.
1 pedophile is 1 pedophile too much
As far as I know nobody at Balenciaga is a convicted pedophile. Be careful when you come down from your high horse.
I will always love the Bals from Nicholas G’s era! Period!
Does what she likes. Good for her!
It’s interesting to read the comments, which hinge around the ad campaign scandal and see where people fall on the issue.
It wasn’t manufactured drama. It wasn’t art. It was a campaign that deliberately sexualized tiny children. Period.
I find it fascinating how quickly people move from anger and resolve to never shop the brand to making excuses and justifications. But how long SHOULD the brand suffer for the sins of those involved? I don’t have the answer.
I love Balenciaga bags and always have-they’re the epitome of cool girl, streetwear chic. A bit of rock and roll.
I’m happy to see the style again; it’s a classic for a reason.
When I saw the campaign I did not take that away from the campaign. Maybe I have a less dirty mind than most. I think it is weird that many saw the ad with children and perceived it as sexual. Maybe consider seeing a therapist….
I think that standpoint might be oversimplified. I found the ad off-putting and distasteful with sexual overtones. Doesn’t mean me or others with that perspective have emotional or mental issues.
On the contrary, we are now seeing the extent to which children are exploited in the entertainment/modeling sphere and with other current children’s issues in mind, I believe people are going to be very sensitive and protective going forward. I view that as a positive change, but I don’t expect everyone to agree.
“It wasn’t manufactured drama. It wasn’t art. It was a campaign that deliberately sexualized tiny children.”
This is your opinion. I happen to wholeheartedly disagree.
That’s fair! I actually didn’t see the campaign until things blew up. I don’t know that I would have been able to verbalize why I found it creepy or off putting, but I certainly did not find it appropriate or acceptable.
“It wasn’t manufactured drama. It wasn’t art. It was a campaign that deliberately sexualized tiny children.”
This is your opinion. I happen to wholeheartedly agree.
I love my NG bags and have never stopped carrying them. They were made long before some awful ad campaign. I don’t support sexualizing young girls. Mistakes are made and boundaries get pushed but sometimes we learn from our mistakes. I do find it a bit absurd that some have taken to selling their bags and making money off then as some sort of protest… so you’re okay with those who buy them from you supporting sexualizing young girls??
I certainly did not make that assertion in my comment. I think you make a valid point. Maybe they should have burned them in protest?!
I did similarly point out that there probably has to come a time when people move forward from that incident seeing that it has not been repeated.
If people don’t want to shop the brand, I don’t blame them and vice versa. I am keeping my bag, I love it.
I love my NG bags and have never stopped carrying them. They were made long before some awful ad campaign. I don’t support sexualizing young girls. Mistakes are made and boundaries get pushed but sometimes we learn from our mistakes. I do find it a bit absurd that some have taken to selling their bags and making money off then as some sort of protest… so you’re okay with those who buy them from you supporting sexualizing young girls??
Sooooo over the “scandal” nonsense. I truly believe the ad was a mistake (big one) and weird, conspiratorially minded, disturbed folks in internet comment sections have somehow turned it into pizza-gate. People will hunt for p*dophilia everywhere except where it actually exists.
Anyways… you guys should do some coverage on the rodeo bag!