Balloons and nail polish, balloons on bags and cardigans decked out in balloons. I can’t say that word enough and no, this isn’t a puff piece on a new Jeff Koons. The buoyant object is the chief motif of the collaborative capsule collection with Pleasing and JW Anderson, and it serves as a joyful tribute to the fashion-fueled friendship between the brands’ founders, Harry Styles and Jonathan Anderson. Born out of a longstanding rapport, the special collaboration presents a vibrantly nuanced sensory experience of patchwork, technicolor and polish.
Pleasing, the unisex beauty and lifestyle brand founded by Harry Styles, delivers a playful twist to the JW Anderson label. Although anchored by several notable pieces from both brands, the capsule is reimagined with both Styles’ and Anderson’s own interpretations of the other’s artistry. Comprising apparel, accessories, and nail polishes, the capsule is heavily influenced by the playful and innovative aesthetics that have united the two entities together.
The balloon functions as a recurring motif. It’s the dot on the “i” of the signature Pleasing sweatshirt, and it wraps around the “Bunch of Balloons” semi-sheer long sleeve. The JW Anderson Bumper bag, a Styles staple (and style staple), receives a Pleasing twist, brandishing an exclusive color-way that features both brands’ logos across the crossbody strap. A set of glittering key-rings in purple and yellow is complemented by the recycled-silicone chrome balloon keyring in a vibrant green. The Bunch of Balloons Knit Cardigan, an ingenious response to the iconic JW Anderson patchwork cardigan Styles wore on stage in 2020, is now emblazoned with a bouquet of technicolor balloons in a crafty, yet subtle, tribute to the Styles and Anderson sartorial love story.
The collaboration also highlights the first time the JW Anderson brand dips their polished toes into the kiddie pool of beauty. Pleasing’s classical nail polishes are re-conceptualized as a multi-colored, pearly glaze in a special-edition four-piece polish set.
The fifth individual polish comes in a bold red ー its shade alone enough to conjure the image of Albert Lamorisse’s short film, The Red Balloon.
What informs Pleasing is not the pursuit of trends, but rather a commitment to genuine emotion and collaborative energy. It’s not a fad, it’s a feeling, and both Styles and Anderson make sure to underscore the personal nature of their partnershipーone rooted in years of mutual support and creative recognition. Their shared dedication to creativity and color encourages a unique synergy (as unique as an adorable balloon theme), inspiring a lone paradox in the process: individuality thriving through togetherness. It’s quite heartwarming, and oh wow does it look good.
The collection is available via Pleasing.com and jwanderson.com followed by in-store at select JW Anderson stores and at Pleasing’s New York and LA pop ups later this week, with prices ranging from £20/$20 to £850/$990.
