One Man's Trash Is Balenciaga's $1,790 Garbage Bag
Thanks to Balenciaga, the phrase "you're trash" may actually come off as a compliment now, especially if the person's carrying the brand's new trash bags. Literally.
Balenciaga is preparing to launch its infamous "Trash Pouch," a handbag that Demna, the brand's creative director, happily admitted is directly inspired by the humble garbage bag.
Coming in blue, black, and white color options, Balenciaga's latest in-house handbag looks almost identical to the trash bags I pass by during my commutes into the city.
First debuted during the maison's Fall/Winter 2022 show, Balenciaga's Trash Pouch totes calfskin leather, matching strap... and a staggering $1,790 price tag (ouch).
"I couldn't miss an opportunity to make the most expensive trash bag in the world because who doesn't love a fashion scandal?" Demna said when premiering the Balenciaga collection.
Well, mission accomplished.
Balenciaga is known for sending the world into a frenzy over its wild products. Remember the destroyed Paris sneaker? Seven-layer parka? Vibram toe shoes?
So, it wasn't shocking to see the internet in an uproar again over Balenciaga's damn-near $2,000 trash bags, leather or not.
"This is getting out of hand," one user stated under Highsnobiety's Instagram post. Another said, "Whoever buys this needs to be thrown out in it."
The comments continued: "Balenciaga is a social experiment and y'all are losing" and "Ye finna put his touch on it, so it'll be 3k," in reference to Kanye and Demna's perpetual bromance.
Oh, and I can't forget my personal favorite: "It's a CINCH. Some will be GLAD to own this bag, but they will have to pay a HEFTY price."
At the end of the day, what exactly even is Balenciaga's Trash Pouch?
Genius? Free marketing? A glitch in the simulation? Further proof of Balenciaga's superpower to make unfashionable products fashionable? A chance for the brand to reclaim its #1 hottest brand rank? Flat-out trolling?
At this point, I'm going to go with all the above for $1,790, Alex.
