Balenciaga, the iconic Spanish fashion house founded Cristóbal Balenciaga, who was referred to by Christian Dior as "the master of us all," has lately developed a reputation for ‘designing’ absurdly priced knock-offs of popular items, such as the 99 cent blue IKEA tote bag, which was sold for $2,145 USD by the brand, or the hot pink platform Crocs, that Balenciaga listed for $850.
After the brand released its Ikea-inspired bag, the Swedish home goods giant released an ad that said, “Shake it: if it rustles, it's the real deal,' the ad proudly proclaims. IKEA also told its customers to 'throw it in the dirt' because 'a true FRAKTA is simply rinsed off with a garden hose when dirty.”
That blue IKEA-inspired Balenciaga bag would be the finishing touch to this ensemble. 😎 pic.twitter.com/yDKyJpfsLw
— Nico Jaye (@nicojaye) August 30, 2018
Now, Balenciaga is at it again with something that Friends’ fans might quickly recognize. Its new $9,000 parka, which is seven jackets sewn together, is oddly reminiscent of the time Joey decided to wear all of Chandler’s clothes at the same time.
The parka, which debuted at the brand's Fall 2018 runway show in March during Paris Fashion Week, is now available for presale at Barney's. The oversized coat consists of a "combination of plaid shirts, jersey hoodies, and technical fleeces," according to its official description. The monstrosity, which works out to $1,285 per layer, is already being dragged on social media.
May I please know why these heeled crocs cost this much? @BALENCIAGA pic.twitter.com/7FdR9wja8x
— Geetha (@GeethaK04) August 29, 2018
The layered parka, designed by creative director Demna Gvasalia, is also available for women with leopard prints, leather, and color-blocks. George, the self-described UK based plus size lingerie and clothing blogger and model, asks, "Is everyone at Balenciaga ok? I feel like these are a cry for help." Another Twitter user recommends heading down to your local thrift shop to achieve the same look for under $100.
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Balenciaga does have its defenders though. Robin Givhan, The Washington Post's fashion critic, who won a 2006 Pulitzer Prize for criticism, says, "Gvasalia is not crafting some rarefied object for purchase that represents the act of giving. Instead, he’s infusing the most mundane items with significance. He’s willing them to be stylish. And demanding that they have meaning beyond a small circle."
That's all good and well, but we can also choose to be stylish on our own not spend $9,000 on seven layers of clothing.
