Balenciaga has once again caught the fashion world off guard with its latest release: a tote bag that astonishingly resembles an everyday supermarket plastic bag. The Spanish luxury brand has added deliberate crinkles to the design to make it appear worn, even though the bag is entirely new.
Unlike typical polyethylene supermarket bags, this high-end version is crafted from polyamide and Dyneema, a material touted as the “world’s strongest fibre.” The Marché Packable Tote Bag Medium is part of Balenciaga’s Winter 2025 collection and is available for pre-order, retailing at a staggering £775, which is approximately S$1,480.
Features and Price Shock
The bag comes with two handles and an internal flat pocket that allows it to fold into a compact pouch for easy carrying. It can accommodate essentials ranging from smartphones to laptops weighing up to 10kg. Balenciaga has branded the tote with its logo, along with the addresses of its Paris stores and website details. While the company originated in Spain, its headquarters are in Paris, and this particular blue tote is manufactured in Italy.
Despite the luxury materials and craftsmanship, many shoppers have expressed disbelief online. Comments ranged from humorous to outright critical, with one user joking, “A plastic bag that resembles a plastic bag,” while another simply said, “I hate it.”
A Pattern of Bizarre Luxury Products
This is not the first time Balenciaga has released unconventional products at eye-watering prices. Recently, the brand faced backlash for selling distressed Puma Speedcat sneakers for £520 (about S$995), which closely resembled the standard £55 (S$105) Puma version. Last year, Balenciaga also made headlines for selling “destroyed” tights with pre-cut holes for £1,150 (S$2,195), significantly more than their intact counterparts.
These releases raise questions about the line between high fashion and gimmickry. While some fashion enthusiasts defend the creativity and craftsmanship, many shoppers see it as overpriced novelty, sparking widespread debate across social media platforms.
Balenciaga’s latest tote may be intended as a statement piece, but for many, it highlights the extremes of luxury fashion pricing, leaving consumers both amused and perplexed.