Balenciaga‘s latest campaign places its new Rodeo bag in the spotlight, featuring stars Kim Kardashian, Naomi Watts, and Isabelle Huppert. In images released on Thursday, Kardashian trades her long black hair for a Marilyn Monroe-inspired blonde look. The reality star and shapewear entrepreneur, along with Watts and Huppert, showcases Balenciaga’s signature ready-to-wear collection.
Photographed by Nadav Kander, the Characters campaign highlights “each star showing a different side of herself through character studies”: Kardashian as a blonde bombshell, Watts as a melancholic femme fatale, and Huppert embodying Hollywood glamour. Balenciaga launched the Rodeo bag in May with a campaign featuring Nicole Kidman and Amelia Gray. Drawing inspiration from the iconic luxury fashion intersection, Rodeo Drive, the calfskin tote has a matte finish, accordion pleats, and a turn-lock closure. It is available in four sizes and various colors.
Shifting away from the micro bag trend, roomier silhouettes have made a comeback on the runway, with brands like Gucci, Bottega Veneta, and Tory Burch embracing more spacious designs. As the “Old Money” aesthetic gains popularity among Gen Z, a younger audience is now drawn to styles once favored by retro icons like Lee Radziwill, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and Princess Diana.
Kardashian and Huppert were named Balenciaga brand ambassadors in 2024 and 2023, respectively, while Watts wore one of the label’s designs at this year’s Met Gala. Watts, along with her daughter Kai Schreiber, was also a prominent guest at Balenciaga’s latest couture presentation in June.
