A Forever Icon: Balenciaga’s Le City Bag Turns 25

There’s a reason fashion keeps coming back to the early aughts. It was the golden age of the It-bag, when personal style felt just that: personal. Before social media feeds and meticulously curated wardrobes, fashion inspiration came from the original style blogs and paparazzi shots of A-listers (and B- and C-listers, too) going about their everyday lives, invariably with a coveted handbag slung over their shoulders.

How the Balenciaga Le City Became the Ultimate It-Bag

Few bags captured the spirit of the era quite like Balenciaga’s original Le City. Designed by Nicolas Ghesquière during his 15-year tenure as the house’s Creative Director, the bag quickly became one of the most influential It-bags of its generation. With its unmistakable slouchy silhouette, signature hardware, and effortlessly undone appeal, it was the ultimate Y2K accessory—and a cult favorite that has never really left the fashion conversation.

It began with an idea, and that idea developed at the height of logomania. Ghesquière didn’t want to follow the pack; he wanted to stand out, letting the craftsmanship and savoir-faire of a bag speak for itself, and that’s exactly what Le City did. Taking inspiration from the classic motorcycle jacket, the first prototype was worn by Kate Moss, capturing the attention of It-girls and fashion industry people alike.

Almost instantly, an icon was born.

Why the Le City Has Stood the Test of Time

Over the years, the Le City has been reimagined in seemingly endless iterations, spanning an extraordinary range of sizes, materials, and colorways. From hard-to-find color codes to limited-edition releases, its many incarnations have kept collectors and longtime devotees on the hunt. And while countless early-aughts accessories have faded into fashion history, Le City has managed to transcend the trend cycle, remaining just as relevant and coveted 25 years later.

Balenciaga Celebrates 25 Years of Le City With Damien Hirst

This season, Balenciaga celebrates 25 years of the iconic bag with a series of special events and limited-edition releases. The first chapter introduces a limited-edition series by contemporary artist Damien Hirst. Hirst reimagines the iconic bag through a series of original patterns that are derived from his most well-known motifs. There’s a whimsical butterfly, which comes together via a pattern of multi-colored spots, playful patchworked iterations, and more.

The celebration begins with a series of campaign images that introduce the collaboration, featuring some of the very famous It-girls who had a hand in catapulting the original Le City into ubiquity in the early aughts, like Nicole Richie and French actress Isabelle Huppert.

Inside Balenciaga’s Global Le City Celebrations

The City celebration continues across the globe through a range of events and installations, beginning with Le City House Paris, which is located at Balenciaga’s storied address at 10 Avenue George V.

From November 10th to November 19th, a unique and immersive showcase explores the bag’s enduring legacy and incredible history through a series of archival press clippings, editorials, prototypes, and more. Furthering the undeniable fandom for Balenciaga’s Le City, BBag collectors are opening up their own archives, while another exhibit highlights the Maison’s collaboration with Damien Hirst.

Le City House will also make stops in New York, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Beijing. Get more details and find the perfect Le City for you via Balenciaga.