It’s Britney x Balenciaga (x Rankin), bitch

To mark a decade at the helm of Balenciaga, Demna bows out not with a whisper but with a thundering pop-saturated finale. For Spring 2026 and his last ready-to-wear collection titled Exactitudes, he presents a visual thesis, going full reflection mode. In the collection, the Georgian fashion designer and former creative director of the fashion house honourably looks back on the silhouettes, moods and misfits that defined his era of Balenciaga, characterised by a satirical take on streetwear.

Only this time, there’s a surprise co-conspirator. Enter: Britney Spears. A globally-recognised cultural icon who shone in her natural reinvention and rebellion, Spears becomes both the muse and medium in this capsule that fuses pop nostalgia with luxury. Think: obnoxiously-oversized hoodies, distressed tees, studded trucker caps and silk twill flags emblazoned with her unmistakable autograph in Barbie pink or aquamarine blue. It’s merch, but elevated. 

And then, of course, there’s the image: shot by HUNGER editor-in-chief Rankin’s lens, it shows 2004 Britney in her most unbothered glory. The portrait, an era-defining shot that wholly embodies the pop icon’s star power, is screen-printed across statement pieces, anchoring the collection with a raw, Y2K approach to glamour. 

“I have always loved fashion and was so honoured and excited [that] Balenciaga and Demna chose to collaborate with me on Demna’s last collection with the House,” said Spears in a statement. “I hope my fans love it as much as I do. These are some of my favourite images from such an amazing time in my career and life, and I’m so excited to share it with everyone.”

Add to that, a Balenciaga Music playlist curated by Spears herself, housed on the label’s Music Hub, and raving runways are back. It features two BFRND remixes (Demna’s longtime partner and the house’s sound architect), with a hauntingly-euphoric rework of “Gimme More” on the catwalk, and a dark-electro reimagining of “Oops!… I Did It Again” to honour its twenty-fifth anniversary. There’s no better way Demna could have kissed this Balenciaga chapter goodbye, before he moves to Gucci as their new creative director next month.