There are accessories that transcend trends and become true symbols of an era. The Le City bag by Balenciaga is one of them. With its relaxed silhouette, its worn-looking leather, and its distinctive metallic details, this handbag captured the street style of the 2000s and ultimately became a cult piece.
Now, 25 years after its debut in 2001, the French maison is bringing it back to the spotlight with a celebration that blends fashion, art, nostalgia, and a contemporary approach to luxury.
The program, unveiled on November 10, 2026, includes an exclusive collaboration with British artist Damien Hirst, an international campaign featuring figures from different generations, and a series of installations open to the public.
Le City: the bag that defined the style of the 2000s
Long before social media dictated trends, Le City was already among the favorites of the most photographed girls of the moment. Its urban, carefree, and slightly rock-inspired aesthetic made it an essential for off-duty looks. Among its first admirers were Kate Moss and Nicole Richie, two style benchmarks of the early century.
Created during Nicolas Ghesquière’s era at Balenciaga, the bag broke with traditional luxury codes: it didn’t need big logos or a rigid structure to be recognizable. Its personality lay in the details: braided handles, long zipper pulls, small rivets, and a flexible leather that gained character with use.
That combination of practicality and attitude explains why Le City achieved something few accessories manage: to stay relevant across generations.
Balenciaga x Damien Hirst: when art transforms a fashion icon
One of the anniversary’s main protagonists is Damien Hirst, who overlays the original design with some of his most recognizable artistic motifs. Moths, multicolored dots, mandalas, and compositions inspired by his famed Spin Paintings appear on the bag’s leather, turning its surface into an artistic expression.
The collaboration, released in a limited edition, includes different Le City sizes and small leather goods. Some pieces also feature the handwritten inscription Damienciaga, blending the artist’s name with that of the French house.
The result is a
Nicole Richie Returns to Take Center Stage in Le City’s Story
To celebrate this anniversary, Balenciaga gathered personalities representing different generations and cultural realms. Nicole Richie’s presence is especially significant: she was one of the first celebrities to embrace Le City as part of her everyday wardrobe and helped turn it into a coveted object.
Joining her are French actress Isabelle Huppert, footballer Hugo Ekitiké, actress Rachel Sennott, and singer and actress Cecilia Boey.
The campaign traverses settings in Paris, Los Angeles, and Shanghai, establishing a dialogue between the bag’s early years and its new generation of admirers.
Le City House: an experience that celebrates 25 years of history
The celebration also extends beyond campaigns to become a public-facing experience. The first Le City House installation is hosted at Balenciaga’s historic headquarters, located at 10 George V Avenue in Paris.
There, visitors can discover archival pieces, collector bags, and personal objects that allow reconstructing the evolution of this accessory. The concept also includes customization and maintenance services, a way to invite those who already own a Le City to continue writing their own story with it.
After Paris, the project will continue in cities such as New York, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Beijing.
Why Le City remains a trend in 2026
At a moment when fashion is once again embracing the Y2K aesthetic with enthusiasm, heritage accessories reclaim prominence. But Le City’s comeback goes beyond nostalgia. Its design possesses all the elements that define contemporary urban style today: a flexible structure, bold personality in the details, and that carefree look that works equally well with jeans and a basic tee as with a romantic dress or a tailored suit.
And perhaps that is the true secret of its enduring appeal: Le City was never a bag meant to stay pristine in a closet, but one to accompany everyday life.
With this celebration, Balenciaga not only revives a 2000s icon. They also demonstrate that fashion’s great classics do not need a full reinvention to stay relevant: sometimes, all it takes is finding a new way to tell their story.
