The lines between high fashion and video games continue to blur as Spanish haute couture house, Balenciaga collaborates with Fortnite. With the partnership comes an entire event that adds yet another experience to the game. This time instead of a concert, you can shop till you drop in the limited "Strange Times" hub. Balenciaga joins the likes of Gucci and Louis Vuitton as luxury brands that have made gaming-centric products.
When You Look Good You Play Good
Balenciaga is going all out for this event in terms of items you can get for your character. Along with the four premium skins, you can also get sprays, gliders, backpacks and a pickaxe modeled after the iconic speed sneaker. In addition to the cosmetics, the Strange Times hub will also have a store where you can buy all the gear and show it off to your friends.
The collaboration is the third of its kind for video games and only the 2nd that involved actual in-game content. The first came via League of Legends and Louis Vuitton. That partnership spawned not only skins for champions in the game but also a limited run of actual clothing and a redesign of League's championship trophy case. In the case of Gucci, their partnership with 100 Thieves spawned a limited-run backpack and not much else. It's hard to say what the best way for fashion to enter gaming is, but letting people look good in-game is never a bad choice.
But Wait There's More...
Also, inside the new hub, there's the Fortography contest. Epic wants players to share their best screenshots of the new gear which will go on a special wall that you can check out in-game. You don't need to have the new skins equipped to get featured on the wall, so anyone can participate.
The event goes live at 8 pm EDT today (Sept 20) so make sure you're updated and ready to go if you want to be the first to cop the new gear.
