PHOTO COURTESY OF BALENCIAGA
With fall-winter 2025 comes a subtle shift at Balenciaga. This is especially evident in its accessories line, with new Rodeo and Le City bags reappearing in full suede. This exciting move injects a new tactile appeal and sense of lived-in elegance into the brand’s signature leather offerings.
With a relaxed shape, purposefully open front compartment and side button snaps, the Rodeo embodies a refreshing laissez-faire aesthetic. Since making its debut in calfskin, the introduction of this waxed suede calfskin version marks a pivotal evolution. The recent campaign featuring Adut Akech, Nicole Kidman and Claudia Schiffer is proof of this.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BALENCIAGA
The Le City bag, a true icon of the early 2000s, is loved for its distressed leather and brass hardware. While suede versions did appear in past collections, this comeback as a key design in the campaign feels particularly exciting. The signature hand-braided handles and knotted zip pulls take on a softer, more bohemian sensibility in suede.
Both styles are now available in a variety of natural hues, including Camel, Khaki and Light Espresso. The small and medium Le City come in at SGD3390 and SGD3990 respectively. Whereas the Rodeo retails slightly higher, at SGD6500 for the medium and SGD7750 for the large.
By its very nature, suede absorbs light differently from smooth leather, thus lending a softer, more muted appearance. This season, it elevates Balenciaga’s Rodeo and Le City with a pre-worn look and subtly aged appeal.
