Balenciaga’s towel skirt is available for Rs 77,000. (Image: @balenciaga/Instagram)
Luxury fashion brand Balenciaga has once again ignited a firestorm of debate with its latest creation – a $925 (Rs 77,000) terry-cloth towel fashioned into a wrap skirt. While the fashion house, led by creative director Demna Gvasalia, is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of design and pricing, this particular piece from the Spring 2024 collection has sparked intense scrutiny.
Social media platforms, particularly X, became a battleground for contrasting opinions. Critics expressed disbelief at the audacity of such a price tag, with one commentator sarcastically saying, “Would look nice with some crocs.” Another is convinced this is all a social experiment. “Your social experiments on consumer behavior is disrespectful and outrageous,” they wrote.
Amid the criticism, loyal supporters of the brand pointed out Balenciaga’s deliberate targeting of a specific platform and consumer base. One supporter argued, “In economics, we’d say they are discovering the true demand curve. They are checking their customer base to see how elastic they are.”
The brand has previously offered to customers “fully destroyed sneakers”, luxury handbags that resemble blanket carriers and the Trash Pouch – a baffling product inspired by the humble garbage bag – priced not-so-humbly at Rs 1.4 lakh.
Drawing attention to the towel skirt outrage, Ikea entered the conversation with a clever advertisement featuring its $10 VINARN bath towel. A model was showcased wearing the Ikea towel as a skirt, layered over construction pants and paired with a Balenciaga hoodie and sunglasses.
While the towel skirt has reignited the conversation about the brand’s commitment to offering what some deem as “absurd” luxury items, Balenciaga has been under serious fire before.
Creative Director Gvasalia, known for his avant-garde approach, faced criticism in 2022 for a holiday ad featuring children in leather bondage.
The ads, published late last year, featured children holding bags designed to look like teddy bears, but with studs and harnesses, and surrounded by adult items including wine glasses.
It sparked huge condemnation online, including from celebrities and calls for boycotting the brand made the rounds.
