JAY Z and BALENCIAGA 4 BARNEYS

There’s just something about New York City. It’s been immortalized in literature, in movies, in music. It’s got an attitude, a style, an ethos that’s impossible to imitate. We’d like to say we’re this city’s greatest fan (it is our home, after all), but Barneys New York is certainly not alone in its fervent admiration of NYC. Shawn ‘JAY Z’ Carter—born and raised in Brooklyn, rarely seen without a Yankees cap, composer of a little song called “Empire State of Mind”—has an equally passionate relationship with this place. So who better to partner with for a holiday event honoring New York?

Introducing “A New York Holiday,” an unprecedented collaboration celebrating the spirit of the city. As part of this event, Barneys New York and Mr. Carter have partnered with some of the most prestigious fashion houses in the world—Balenciaga, Balmain, Lanvin, The Elder Statesman, En Noir, Hoorsenbuhs, Just Don (coming soon!), Proenza Schouler, Rick Owens,Stutterheim, Acne Studios, and Cutler & Gross—to create exclusive, limited edition products inspired by New York City in a color palette of black, white, gold and silver. (Check out a sneak preview at the bottom of this post.) Beginning November 20, the products will be available in the BNY SCC Gallery, an immersive space dedicated to the partnership between Barneys New York and Shawn Corey Carter.

“With this project, Barneys New York and I were able to take the slickness, energy, and innovation of New York City and translate that into quality, timeless pieces,” said Mr. Carter. “Everything that encompasses ‘A New York Holiday’—the items chosen, the amazing designers that participated, the windows, the design of the BNY SCC Gallery—represents a perfect example of a unique and groundbreaking collaboration that I hope demonstrates how inspiring New York has been to me.”

A New York Holiday