Balenciaga, an haute couture brand based out of Italy, has recently unveiled its Carry Shopper L bag, a tote bag that takes clear inspiration from the crinkly plastic tote bag sold en masse at IKEAs everywhere. The bag was featured in Balenciaga's SS17 Men's Runway Show, where its glossy leather and bright blue coloring stood out from much of the brand's other pieces.
Though IKEA's sustainable plastic tote bags cost just 99 cents at IKEA stores, the Carry Shopper L is a little more expensive. Sold online through the Balenciaga site, the bag is currently listed at $2,610 Australian. Of course, which such a price tag, the bag isn't made from plastic. Rather, it's hand crafted with double printed calfskin handles, lambskin on the bag itself, and an embossed gold Balenciaga logo.
Cheap Chic Tote Bags
Balenciaga's Carry Shopper L is Inspired by IKEA's Classic Tote Bag
Trend Themes
1. Sustainable Tote Bags - The trend towards sustainable materials in tote bags presents an opportunity for innovative, eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastic options.
2. Fashion-inspired Accessories - The trend of fashion brands drawing inspiration from everyday items like IKEA's tote bag highlights an opportunity for designers to create unique and fashionable accessories that appeal to a wide range of consumers.
3. Luxury Repurposing - The trend of luxury brands repurposing and elevating ordinary objects into high-end designs like Balenciaga's Carry Shopper L bag opens up possibilities for incorporating unexpected luxury elements in various products.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion and Apparel - The fashion and apparel industry has the opportunity to explore sustainable materials and design concepts to create environmentally-friendly alternatives to traditional tote bags.
2. Accessories and Handbags - The accessories and handbags industry can capitalize on the trend of fashion-inspired accessories by creating unique, trendy, and affordable products that appeal to fashion-conscious consumers.
3. Luxury Goods - The luxury goods industry can leverage the trend of luxury repurposing by incorporating unexpected elements and reimagining everyday objects to offer exclusive and innovative products to their high-end customers.