Following last week’s media frenzy around the AI-generated ‘photos’ of Pope Francis In a white puffer jacket, the Roman Catholic Church announced its partnership with luxury fashion house Balenciaga for a new line of menswear that integrates the aesthetics of Catholicism with contemporary fashion trends. “The Catholic clergy wanted to appeal to the younger generations who are massively abandoning the faith these days,” a spokesman for the Holy See’s press office said. Hyperallergic.
The spokesperson confirmed Hyperallergic that it was Balenciaga’s design team who reached out to the Catholic Church to come up with the concept of a faith-based clothing line, striking the iron while it’s hot after “Dope Francis” became viral last weekend. The fashion house’s researchers and trend forecasters noted that the general public reaction to the generative image of Pope Francis in the white puffer jacket was overwhelmingly positive despite the show’s initial shock.
True to the pop culture moment, Balenciaga’s designers anchored the collection with the puff aesthetic, emphasizing both utilitarianism and modesty as key elements that characterize the line. Preview images provided by Balenciaga show male models dressed in floor-length light cream “puff dresses” with light gold embellishments and clean, minimal sneakers. Information surrounding the line is currently limited, as the fashion house and church plan to release the collection’s name in time for Easter Sunday as part of a “rebirth” in line with the resurrection of Jesus- Christ, but Hyperallergic can confirm that there are at least four menswear looks, with the “showstopper” being a bright red oversized jacket dress hybrid.
The puffy silhouettes may scream “luxury” to some, but the Catholic Church has confirmed that “spirituality is the main motive” for the clothing line. Asked about the collaboration, the Holy See’s press contact said “it all comes down to shared values” between the Church and business, and modernizing Christianity to generate more interest from millennials and Gen Z youth who are identify less with religion over the generations.
“Balenciaga brings us here and now,” added the spokesperson. “We were thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with a fashion design brand with a global audience. Being able to expand our reach to today’s youth through popular culture is a new and meaningful approach for us, and we look forward to Balenciaga’s guidance every step of the way.
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