Balenciaga’s Pride ‘22 series consists of fitted tops, T-shirts, hoodies, caps, scarves, socks, and jewelry, most boasting a sleek graphic design informed by reinterpretations of gendered symbols. In the illustration, two hand-holding figures concurrently don the masculine and feminine indicators of skirt and pants. Some available products also feature a chart of inclusivity flags from around the world, while additionally included in the series are exclusive styles of the Pool Slide, the Track Sneaker, and gym shorts with logos, shoelaces, and waistbands in rainbow colors.
The project continues Balenciaga’s history of using its collections, collaborations and creative promotions to bolster global LGBTIQ visibility and acceptance. In the latest campaign, Anybody is Queer, photos and videos shot by Patrick Welde feature a diverse cast donning items from the 2022 Pride series. Its message, one of diversity and inclusion, proves that there is not an umbrella look for someone who falls into the categories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, or queer — clothes are just as fluid as gender, and neither were made to conform to pre-set boxes.
