Anatomy of a Bag: Balenciaga's Le City
For our latest episode, Hypebae celebrates the 25th anniversary of Balenciaga’s cult-loved bag.
Unveiled in 2001, Balenciaga‘s Le City silhouette was originally called the Motorcycle City Bag, inspired by the classic motorcycle jacket. At first, the “City” only referred to the medium size of the bag, before it eventually went on to represent the full line.
The unique style was first met with mixed reviews, a polar opposite to the rigid silhouettes that were highly popular at the time. It wasn’t until the style was worn by the ever-iconic supermodel, Kate Moss, that everything changed.
Lauded as the antithesis of the logomania at the time, it became a fashion favorite amongst industry insiders, also due to its subtle branding and spacious construction.
Over the years, the bag has become a defining moment for the brand, worn by everyone from Bella Hadid and Rachel Sennott to Paris and Nicky Hilton, with plenty more still joining the list. The signature codes of the City have also gone on to inform wider products, like shoes and accessories, each punctuated with the defining buckles and metal studs.
In 2024, the silhouette was relaunched with a full-circle moment: a campaign starring the original lover of the bag, Kate Moss, followed by its official runway debut in 2025 and a subsequent campaign lensed by the inimitable David Sims – the first photographer to capture the bag back in 2006.
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Now, Balenciaga is celebrating 25 years of the era-defining style. The original silhouette is crafted from soft, distressed Arena lambskin and features braided handles, long leather laces, metal hardware and multiple zipped pockets. With a cotton canvas lining, the classic City also features a debossed Balenciaga logo for a touch of quiet luxury.
In celebration of this milestone, Balenciaga is taking us on a global journey across major cities. Unfolding in two chapters, the first sees a VIP cast debuting the classic City styles, along with a new, limited-edition collaboration with the pioneering artist Damien Hirst. The second chapter is set to debut vivid new colorways to complement the existing offering.
Discover Balenciaga’s Le City in Hypebae’s latest Anatomy of a Bag video above and head to the brand’s website to shop its anniversary editions.
