Balenciaga x Stade Rennais F.C. Is the Football and Fashion Collab We Didn't See Coming

While many of us have been trying to forget Balenciaga exists following all that controversy towards the end of last year, the Demna-fronted brand is eager to prove it has turned over a new leaf. Joining a recent spate of football and fashion collaborations, Balenciaga has now tapped French side Stade Rennais F.C. for a collaborative kit with a message.

During a match against Troyes last weekend, the Ligue 1 side took to the pitch in an unseen rendition of its home kit, marking Balenciaga's first foray into the football realm. Built upon the club's signature red hue, we see a kit designed with Pride Flag colours gracing each player's respective number on the rear. The aim is to send a positive message to the LGBTQ+ community as part of the International Day Against Homophobia event on the 17th of May. A Balenciaga text imprint also features towards the top of the back, driving home the collaborative effort.

As many football fans will tell you, there is quite an issue with homophobia within the sport, so despite what you think about Balenciaga, it's hard to knock the effort from the brand (in this case, anyway). Balenciaga's social media also aligned itself with the message, sharing the kit with #STOPHOMOPHOBIA, #STOPTRANSPHOBIA and #STOPBIPHOBIA hashtags. It's unclear at this time if the kit will be available for purchase, but we would hope that if it does go on sale, the profits would be donated to LGBTQ+ charities. Is this the mark of a redemption era for the Spanish fashion house? Time will tell. In other football and fashion news, Bayern Munich's 2023/24 home jersey flaunts a red and white pairing.