Balenciaga Is Selling $1,750 Chip Bags ... With No Chips

Balenciaga, under the direction of artistic director Demna, created a line of handbags inspired by potato chip bags, originally showcased at Paris Fashion Week in 2022. Collaborating with Frito-Lay, the bags resembled Lay's chip packaging in flavors like Classic, Flamin' Hot, Limón, and Salt & Vinegar. Initially expected to launch in Spring/Summer 2023, the release was delayed until October 2023, when Demna revealed redesigned bags sans Lay's branding. Retailing for $1,750, the calf-skin bags are available in flavors such as Salt and Vinegar, Cheese & Onion, and Spicy Chili.

The overpriced bags persist

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Balenciaga's collaboration with Frito-Lay for their potato chip bag-inspired handbags, the fashion house proceeded with the concept independently. Demna, the artistic director, has provided limited information on the matter, maintaining a secretive stance. In November 2022, Balenciaga faced backlash for a controversial holiday ad featuring children carrying teddy bears in bondage gear, sparking criticism of child exploitation.

Despite Lay's absence from the new line of expensive handbags, a statement from Balenciaga suggested that the potato chip bags were a personal project for artistic director Demna, who has a fondness for chips and has even used a bag of Lay's as an accessory in the past. Demna is known for transforming everyday items into high-fashion pieces, such as the $2,000 IKEA bag in 2017 and the $1,800 trash bag pouch.