fashion brand
Luxury fashion brand often walks a fine line between the avant-garde and the outrageous. Case in point: Balenciaga’s “Trash Pouch,” a designer bag with a hefty price tag of $1,790, inspired by something as mundane as a garbage bag. Yes, you read that right.
This shiny drawstring pouch debuted during Balenciaga’s Fall 2022 Ready-to-Wear collection in Paris. Available in sleek calfskin leather, it features subtle logo detailing and comes in a palette reminiscent of everyday trash bags: black, white, blue, and yellow. Creative Director Demna, known for his provocative designs, remarked, “I couldn’t miss an opportunity to make the most expensive trash bag in the world, because who doesn’t love a fashion scandal?”
Scandal indeed. Since hitting stores, the Trash Pouch has become the subject of heated debate online. From puzzled onlookers to critics labeling Balenciaga as a “meme designer,” the reactions are as varied as the colors of the bag itself.
An Instagram post showcasing the bag sparked a mix of laughter, outrage, and bewilderment. One user quipped, “I have 40 of these under my sink,” while another described the bag as “Zoolander in real life.” Yet, amidst the backlash, at least one commenter declared their desire for the unique accessory with a simple, “Need.”
This revelation adds another layer to the mystery. Did Blanco meticulously recreate their favorite Taco Bell picnic for the proposal? Was Gomez filming a commercial, and Blanco seized the moment? Or was this a cleverly orchestrated campaign between Gomez, Blanco, and Taco Bell?
Despite the polarizing reception, the bag’s intentional absurdity might be part of the allure. It challenges the boundaries of luxury fashion and highlights the humor—or audacity—of elevating the mundane into high-end art.
The Trash Pouch isn’t just a standalone statement. Demna’s Fall 2022 collection was deeply influenced by the ongoing war in Ukraine, blending despair with resilience. The Paris runway show featured a blizzard-like setup of paper snow and Ukrainian flags, aiming to evoke emotion and shed light on global crises.
Demna, a refugee from Georgia, has long drawn from his personal experiences in his designs. His commentary on the absurdity of war and its emotional toll echoed through the collection, offering a deeper context to Balenciaga’s often unconventional approach to fashion.
Whether you view it as a bold commentary on consumer culture or an overpriced joke, Balenciaga’s Trash Pouch underscores the brand’s ability to provoke conversation. After all, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure—or in this case, their $1,790 statement piece.