Collaboration - 10/22/24
For the first time, a fashion house dresses a women’s football club. The protagonists? Barbara Bui and Paris Saint-Germain. Two perspectives, two entities, two identities... and 25 players, for whom the designer has crafted a bespoke wardrobe.
“For the first time, I’m opening my brand to something radically different.” - Barbara Bui
The collection is defined by clean lines, precise cuts, and a slightly oversized fit, evoking a strong sense of power and freedom. The comfort of tailored suits meets the strength of athletes’ bodies. For this collection, Barbara Bui’s iconic metal piercing—customarily featured in her collections—takes on the club’s signature red and blue colors.
Designed for the official outings of Paris Saint-Germain’s women’s team, these pieces pay homage to Paris, audacity, and freedom. The formal outfit expresses timeless elegance, with an emphasis on cuts and materials, such as leather and gabardine. The casual chic outfit in beige crepe exudes a more relaxed elegance.
These two exclusive looks open the door to a broader collection, featuring additional pieces for Barbara Bui and PSG fans, including sweatshirts, t-shirts, and belt bags. The collection will be available starting October 18 at PSG shops, Barbara Bui boutiques, and online.
This collaboration was initiated under the leadership of Fabien Allègre, PSG’s Chief Brand Officer and the driving force behind the Club’s fashion partnerships in recent seasons. Just a few days after the first photoshoot of- the players in their final outfits, the duo—Fabien Allègre and Barbara Bui— share the story of this exceptional collaboration.
BARBARA BUI BECOMES THE FIRST OFFICIAL OUTFITTER FOR A EUROPEAN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL TEAM. WHAT MESSAGE DOES THIS PARTNERSHIP SEND TO THE WORLD?
FABIEN ALLÈGRE • We have always been committed to shining a spotlight on women’s football. This partnership is a groundbreaking first and sends a strong signal. We are proud to explore new possibilities with Barbara Bui.
“Like PSG, the Barbara Bui brand is instantly recognizable. It’s a fashion institution that has managed to maintain its flair and uniqueness. With its elegance and rock-chic touch, it perfectly embodies what Paris is all about.” - Fabien Allègre
WAS THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH BARBARA BUI AN OBVIOUS CHOICE?
FABIEN ALLÈGRE • We took the time to identify brands we wanted to collaborate with. But it wasn’t a coincidence: like us, Barbara wanted to highlight the women’s team. Our visions aligned immediately. Like PSG, the Barbara Bui brand is instantly recognizable. It’s a fashion institution that has managed to maintain its flair and uniqueness. With its elegance and rock-chic touch, it perfectly embodies what Paris is all about.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE THE PSG BRAND AND ITS CORE VALUES?
FABIEN ALLÈGRE • Paris Saint-Germain is, above all, a sports club, built on pillars of excellence, innovation, and empowerment. Since our president Nasser al-Khelaifi’s arrival in 2011, we’ve been transitioning PSG into a lifestyle brand with its own universe and tastes—a world cultivated beyond matches. The Paris Olympics proved that sports are part of our culture, and fashion and art are intrinsic to this culture as well.
HOW DID PEOPLE REACT TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THIS COLLABORATION BETWEEN BARBARA BUI AND PSG?
BARBARA BUI • I felt like I heard a collective ‘wow’. My audience was used to collaborations with personalities who inspire me—entrepreneurs, actresses, artists. For the first time, I’m opening my brand to something radically different.
FABIEN ALLÈGRE • The response was overwhelmingly positive from the start. But the reaction that struck me the most was from the players themselves when they discovered the pieces. That was the precise moment I knew we had made the right choice. The outfits matched their expectations in terms of style, elegance, and comfort. It’s a first step in changing public perceptions of high-level female athletes.
“I see these women as athletes, but also as influential figures who are observed and admired. Their attitude and look tell a story of freedom, femininity, and authenticity. Nothing is left to chance.” - Barbara Bui
BARBARA, YOU SPENT A LOT OF TIME MEETING THE PLAYERS TO UNDERSTAND THEIR PERSONALITIES, DESIRES, AND EVEN THEIR BODY TYPES AND MOVEMENT. WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
BARBARA BUI • I learned that these are women, above all, who want to express their femininity through their outfits. I worked hand in hand with them to respect their wishes.
FABIEN ALLÈGRE • It’s a team on the field, with its leaders and supporters— just like in life! Some players didn’t hesitate to voice their opinions. That’s the advantage of working with such an approachable designer like Barbara Bui: dialogue is an integral part of her creative process.
HOW ARE BARBARA BUI’S SIGNATURE ELEMENTS REFLECTED IN THIS WARDROBE?
BARBARA BUI • All of my signature elements are present in these outfits— simplicity, clean lines, a mix of materials... These recurring themes in my collections make the players embody the suit. The suit reveals them.
FABIEN ALLÈGRE • And PSG’s signature elements are there too. To understand the brand as a whole, Barbara didn’t just meet the players; she also attended several matches and visited the Parc des Princes.
“The PSG brand has always ventured into unexpected territories. Our propensity for creating surprises is part of our development strategy. Let’s not forget that we’re the youngest of Europe’s top clubs. We can strike fast and hard, without being constrained by our heritage.” - Fabien Allègre
HOW DID YOU FIND THE BALANCE BETWEEN FEMININITY AND SIMPLICITY?
BARBARA BUI • I studied the entire team thoroughly. My solution was to design outfits whose simplicity contrasts with the strength and energy of the materials. These are not traditional women’s suits—I didn’t want a conventional ‘feminine’ suit, but an ‘empowerment’ suit.
FABIEN ALLÈGRE • It was adapted to the body types of elite athletes. We needed to find the right balance between their needs and Barbara’s signature style.
THE PERFECT CUT AND DRAPE ARE AMONG YOUR SIGNATURE SKILLS, BARBARA. HOW DID YOU INCORPORATE THEM INTO THIS COLLABORATION?
BARBARA BUI • We created an entire measurement process to adapt our designs to their morphology. My design studio, along with the pattern makers, worked extensively to ensure the fit was perfect—just like a made-to-measure piece.
ANOTHER DISTINCTIVE FEATURE IS THE ROCK AESTHETIC INHERENT TO THE BARBARA BUI STYLE—AN UNEXPECTED CHOICE FOR PSG. DID YOU WANT TO CREATE A SURPRISE?
FABIEN ALLÈGRE • The PSG brand has always ventured into unexpected territories. Our propensity for creating surprises is part of our development strategy. Let’s not forget that we’re the youngest of Europe’s top clubs. We can strike fast and hard, without being constrained by our heritage.
BARBARA BUI • The piercing detail found on these pieces perfectly symbolizes that rock touch. It’s a signature element in all my collections, but here I’ve twisted it to match PSG’s colors.
YOU SPEAK OF PARIS AS THE CITY OF LIGHTS, OF LOVE. IT’S ALSO THE CITY OF PARISIAN WOMEN. WHO IS THE PARISIAN WOMAN WEARING THIS SUIT?
BARBARA BUI • Paris means culture, modernity, non-conformism, and freedom. At the same time, these pieces aren’t just for an archetypal Parisian woman— they’re for all women.
FABIEN ALLÈGRE • We wanted to reach a broad audience. So, we decided to put the collection worn by the players up for sale. It’s unprecedented. For example, in the context of Dior’s collaboration with the PSG men’s team, the pieces are not sold. Here, we are offering our communities the opportunity to purchase what has been produced. We followed through on the entire process.
“Paris means culture, modernity, non-conformism, and freedom. These pieces aren’t just for the archetypal Parisian woman—they’re for all women.” - Barbara Bui
WHAT IMAGE OF THE CLUB AND ITS HIGH-LEVEL FEMALE ATHLETES DO YOU HOPE TO CONVEY WITH THIS COLLABORATION?
FABIEN ALLÈGRE • That’s a great question, because the players will wear these outfits every time they represent the team. We have quite strict protocols governing their appearances, entries, and exits from the stadium... The suit will be highly visible on these occasions.
BARBARA BUI • I see these women as athletes, of course, but also as influential figures who are observed and admired. Their attitude and look tell a story of freedom, femininity, and authenticity. Nothing is left to chance.
WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY FOR THIS COLLECTION?
BARBARA BUI • I have always strived to create high-quality pieces made primarily from natural materials, designed to last. Durability is my way of being environmentally responsible.
FABIEN ALLÈGRE • That’s an important point because their schedule is extremely demanding, with frequent travel by train, bus, or plane. The clothes had to be designed to withstand the rigors of their lifestyle. With Barbara Bui, mission accomplished.
“I worked hand in hand with them to respect their wishes.” - Barbara Bui
IF YOU HAD TO SUMMARIZE THIS COLLABORATION IN ONE WORD OR PHRASE, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
FABIEN ALLÈGRE • Beautiful...
BARBARA BUI • ... encounter!
PARTAGER