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On a scale of 1 to 10, how upset are you by Balenciaga's "Towel Skirt"?

21.11.2023

Translation: machine translated

It seems that anything can pass for high fashion as long as the price is as cheeky as possible. Balenciaga provides the latest proof of this with this [[strike:towel]] skirt.

Balenciaga knows how to get the internet buzzing like no other brand. For example with chip bags, bin bags and Ikea bags. Demna Gvasalia, creative director of the Spanish label based in Paris, has a penchant for transforming inexpensive everyday products into (far too) expensive accessories.

In the summer of 2022, my colleague Stephanie wrote about the aforementioned chip bag. Gvasalia turned a conventional snack bag made of foil for around 4 US dollars into a leather clutch for a whopping 1800 US dollars.

Yep, that's a leather clutch for 1800 US dollars.
Source: Instagram @demnagram

And the internet? Could hardly contain its confusion, laughter and anger. The situation is very similar with Gvasalia's latest "creation". A towel. As a skirt. For 925 US dollars - or 795 Swiss francs.

Surely there's more to it than meets the eye? Not really. The 100 per cent cotton skirt made in Italy has a hidden belt and two buttons on the inside, but is otherwise indistinguishable from the towel that you and I wrap around our bodies every day after a shower.

This is it, the now famous «Towel Skirt».

No, really. It's a skirt. — This is it, the now famous «Towel Skirt».

By the way, the "Towel Skirt" is unisex, in case you were wondering, and available to pre-order now for spring 24 [. Well, how about it? Forking out just under 800 Swiss francs for a genuine Balenciaga piece?
Swedish furniture giant Ikea had a better idea - and finally sensed the chance for a rematch. You may remember that Balenciaga ice-coldly copied Ikea's classic blue shopping bag in 2017. And sold it for over 2,000 US dollars. Six years later, the furniture store is turning the tables and advertising its own "Towel Skirt", aka a shower towel called "Vinarn". Needless to say, it's a lot more affordable than the Balenciaga original.

In 2017, Balenciaga sold the «Arena Tote».
Source: Balenciaga

Like you, like me: the «Vinarn» towel from Ikea costs just CHF 14.95. — In 2017, Balenciaga sold the «Arena Tote».
Source: Balenciaga

Swedes take it with a sense of humour. And you? Let me know in the comments how much the "Towel Skirt" drives you to white heat.
It's clear that we can also equip you with a "Towel Skirt" for spring 24:
[[product:2731539,6307621,9667386]]
[[small:Cover image: Balenciaga]]](https://www.balenciaga.com/en-ch/balenciaga-towel-skirt-beige-768726TPP919501.html)

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