Breaking Down the Hype of Balenciaga's $1,750 Chip Bags—Expensive and Empty!

In the ever-evolving world of fashion, Balenciaga has once again left us bewildered and intrigued with its latest creation: the $1,750 chip bags, sans chips. Yes, you read that right – the Spanish luxury fashion house has taken inspiration from a humble snack and turned it into a high-priced accessory that's causing waves in the fashion industry.

Balenciaga's $1,750 Chip Bag Photo: Balenciaga

The mastermind behind this crispy couture is Demna, Balenciaga's artistic director, who first unveiled the potato chip bag-inspired pouches during the Paris Fashion Week in 2022. The bags, created in collaboration with Frito-Lay, featured the Lay's branding and mimicked the iconic packaging of Classic, Flamin' Hot, Limón, and Salt & Vinegar flavors. The internet buzzed with excitement as fashionistas and chip enthusiasts alike awaited the release of these quirky, yet extravagant, accessories.

However, as the anticipated Spring/Summer 2023 collection came and went without a chip bag in sight, it seemed like the tantalizing collaboration might have been shelved. But fashion, like any art form, is full of surprises, and the chip bags resurfaced in a different form in October 2023.

Demna took to Instagram to reveal a redesigned chip bag, this time without the Lay's branding but maintaining its striking resemblance to the beloved snack. It was clear that Balenciaga was not ready to let go of the chip bag concept. Fast forward to last week, and the fashion mogul dropped another bombshell – the new chip bags were available for purchase. With a staggering price tag of $1,750, these calf-skin bags are available in three tempting "flavors": Salt and Vinegar, Cheese & Onion, and Spicy Chili.

The absence of Frito-Lay in this latest venture raises questions about the fate of the original collaboration. However, Balenciaga seems to have embraced the chip bag concept as a passion project for Demna himself. According to a statement from the fashion house, "Demna loves chips in general and has carried a bag of Lay's potato chips as an accessory before" (via Today).

These chip bags, or rather, luxurious pouches, blur the lines between fashion and everyday life. Balenciaga has taken a familiar and mundane object, infused it with high-end craftsmanship and materials, and turned it into a symbol of opulence. The juxtaposition of a casual snack item and a high-fashion accessory challenges conventional notions of luxury and pushes the boundaries of creativity in the fashion world.