Balenciaga Collaborates with Alipay on US$650 T-shirt, Sparking Social Media Ridicule
Balenciaga collaborated with Alipay to design a US$650 T-shirt, which has elicited varied responses on social media. The large, unisex shirt bears the Balenciaga print and the Alipay logo. The relationship demonstrates the growing importance of financial companies in the fashion sector.
The large, unisex jacket, offered in black with the trademark Balenciaga design in white, has the Alipay logo. The limited edition shirt debuted at Balenciaga's Spring Summer 2025 show in Shanghai and is now available for purchase in mainland China.
The unexpected collaboration between the fintech startup and the famed European fashion label has sparked extensive discussion on Chinese social media. Many netizens mocked the T-shirt's excessive price and simple design. On Weibo, fashion influencer Mars Amateur Fashion Critique wrote, "This really looks like a parody." Another person proposed placing a payment QR code on the shirt instead of the logo, and another humorously referred to it as "the most expensive corporate uniform."
Balenciaga, headquartered in Paris and owned by French luxury conglomerate Kering, is well-known for its collaborations, which frequently receive notice on social media. However, this collaboration with Alipay, one of China's biggest digital wallets, has received a lot of attention because Alipay is widely used by millions of people in China.
The agreement comes as Ant Group, Alibaba Group Holding's fintech unit and Alipay operator, expands its foreign presence. Ant expects double-digit percentage increase in Alipay usage among overseas merchants this year, and it intends to expand its coverage to all Asian nations, as well as Europe and the United States.
While the Balenciaga-Alipay collaboration has provoked social media derision, it demonstrates finance businesses' expanding impact in the fashion industry. As digital payment platforms continue to influence consumer behaviour, cooperation like this may become more widespread in the future.
Balenciaga has partnered with Alipay to create a US$650 T-shirt, which has received mixed reactions on social media.
The oversized, unisex garment features the Balenciaga print and the Alipay logo.
The collaboration highlights the increasing influence of fintech companies in the fashion industry.
Source: SCMP