Balenciaga, the high-fashion powerhouse, is making a bold statement in the fast-paced world of Formula 1, declaring it the most fashion-forward sport of our time. To mark the second annual Grand Prix in Las Vegas, Balenciaga unveiled a striking collection that merges luxury fashion with automotive aesthetics. This innovative approach includes not only racing-inspired apparel but also a series of captivating sculptures crafted from actual Balenciaga Car Parts, showcasing the brand’s commitment to pushing creative boundaries.
Japanese artist Showichi Kaneda is the mastermind behind these unique sculptures. He has constructed a stunning shark figure using repurposed balenciaga car parts for the Balenciaga boutique located in Wynn Plaza on the Las Vegas Strip. This artwork, though already sold, remains on display, offering a unique spectacle for visitors. Balenciaga is extending this artistic vision globally, with another edition of Kaneda’s balenciaga car part sculpture set to be revealed in their Dubai and Abu Dhabi stores, coinciding with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 8th.
The Balenciaga Racing series apparel collection complements these installations. This limited-edition line features a T-shirt, a zip-up hoodie, and a racer jacket, each bearing the brand’s Unity sports line logo. The designs cleverly incorporate tailoring elements borrowed from authentic racing uniforms, blending high fashion with the visual language of motorsport. While launched during the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend, the Balenciaga Racing series remains available in Las Vegas boutiques while supplies last, offering enthusiasts a chance to own a piece of this unique collaboration.
Kaneda’s sculpture, prominently displayed at Balenciaga’s Wynn Plaza location, provides a different kind of spectacle amidst the Vegas glamour. Racing aficionados and art enthusiasts alike can marvel at a four-foot-long hammerhead shark, meticulously assembled from recognizable Formula 1 balenciaga car parts. These components, once integral to high-performance vehicles, are now reborn as art, emblazoned with the iconic Balenciaga logo, creating a powerful juxtaposition of luxury and industrial design.
This project is part of Kaneda’s ongoing “Human’s Own” series, his most celebrated collection. This series exclusively features sharks sculpted from Formula 1 balenciaga car parts, highlighting Kaneda’s artistic focus on themes of “speed, progress, survival, and desire” within fashion and technology, as articulated by Balenciaga. The choice of the hammerhead shark is particularly symbolic, as these creatures must constantly swim forward to breathe, mirroring the relentless drive for innovation and progress in both fashion and Formula 1.
Kaneda’s creative process begins with digital design, where he meticulously plans each individual balenciaga car part component. These designs are then brought to life through 3D printing. The artist then refines each piece by hand before creating a silicone mold to assemble the shark form. Finally, the entire sculpture is encased in resin, resulting in a sleek, polished finish that evokes both traditional Japanese lacquer techniques and the glossy sheen of freshly waxed cars. Kaneda has created distinct color variations of the sculpture: a red and black edition for Las Vegas, a red and white version for the United Arab Emirates, and a green edition with its future display location yet to be announced.
Each of the three balenciaga car part sculptures prominently features stylized Balenciaga logos. Known for its history of appropriating pop culture elements into high fashion, this collaboration with Kaneda represents a unique role reversal. This time, Balenciaga’s own iconography is being upcycled and reimagined through the medium of balenciaga car parts, adding another layer of conceptual depth to the project.
As Max Verstappen celebrated his fourth Grand Prix title win last weekend, the anticipation builds for the upcoming races in Qatar on December 1st and Abu Dhabi a week later. For those following the Formula 1 circuit, the next iterations of Kaneda’s Balenciaga racing collaboration, along with the new apparel line, will be unveiled at Balenciaga’s Dubai Mall boutique and at The Galleria on Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi on December 3rd, further solidifying the intersection of luxury fashion, automotive culture, and contemporary art through repurposed balenciaga car parts.
