We heart it: Balenciaga releases a loved-up capsule for beaus and besties just in time for Qixi; because cool people need more ways to say I love you. 

There are a million ways to say “I love you”, but in Balenciaga’s vocabulary, gifts reign supreme as the best kind of love language. And with the Chinese Qixi Festival around the corner, the house has released a commemorative capsule for the occasion. Imparting the very important message of love, the capsule utilises the universal signifier — the humble heart — to demarcate just how loved-up the collection is, albeit still within the design confines of Balenciaga’s stormy energy.

From July 8, cool communities will have another way to be pragmatically lovey-dovey as the house releases a collection that can be easily integrated into one’s everyday closet. Daily staples like denim jackets, shorts, miniskirts, and pants share the same treatment of graffitied peach, black and cream. Other seasonal releases include exclusive colourways of house favourites like the Monaco and Rodeo bags, and the new supersized sneaker releases. Valiant experimentalists are treated to pink-drenched, heart-sporting tees and hoodies. And true to the house’s DNA, the dark-and-stormy fashion purist never loses out: as blackened iterations of the hero-graphic tee and hoodie are also available; because hey, cool people need ways to express love too, right?

And championing this lovey-dovey movement is none other than real-life couples. Shot by Wang Yi Shu in Shanghai, Balenciaga’s Qixi spirit gets funnelled into the normalcy and routine of a couple’s day-to-day. From sidewalks to public transportation hubs, to the go-to date spots of gardens and restaurants, three sets of genuine beaus and bae-s front the Qixi campaign, all clad in different garments from the collection.

Below, browse through Balenciaga’s pick of the best ways to say “I love you” — all available from July 8 on balenciaga.cn and in Balenciaga boutiques all throughout China.

Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our June/July 2024 issue.