British Daily Mail and The Mirror reported on the 25th that Balenciaga started pre-ordering for the Marche Packable Tote Bag for men in medium blue color earlier this month. This product is one of Balenciaga’s new products introduced as a collection for the 2025 winter season.
The bag, which measures 50cm wide and 52.8cm long, is designed to carry around with a handle. It looks similar to a regular plastic bag that stores goods in stores. On the front of the actual product, the Balenciaga logo, brand name, official website address, and store address in Paris, France are printed.
It looks no different from a regular plastic bag, but it costs a whopping $995.
Unlike ordinary plastic bags made of polyethylene (PE), the bag is made of polyamide and dynima materials, which are considered the “strongest fiber in the world.” Balenciaga explained, “Laptops weighing up to 10kg can be stored, and there are also internal pockets that can be folded and put in.”
When the product was released, social media reported that it was criticized for its “unreasonable price for its design modeled after a plastic bag.” This is not the first time that Balenciaga has introduced a product modeled after everyday products. In 2022, it released a “trash pouch” inspired by garbage bags. In addition, it attracted attention by introducing a clutch bag shaped like a potato chip bag, a transparent tape-shaped bracelet that can be sold at a stationery store, and a clutch bag shaped like a coffee cup that costs 8 million won.
SALLY LEE
US ASIA JOURNAL
