Balenciaga’s $2,145 IKEA Frakta knock-off sparks viral debate
Demna Gvasalia, creative director of Balenciaga since 2015, released a luxury version of IKEA's iconic blue Frakta shopping bag. The Balenciaga carry shopper is made of premium lambskin with fine Italian craftsmanship and costs $2,145, compared to the original's $0.99 polypropylene. The design mimics the same shape, size, and blue color, featuring a discreet central label. IKEA responded playfully with a graphic ad. This is not Gvasalia's first pop-culture reference: previous designs include a $5,595 blanket tote resembling a plastic duvet cover, a $3,075 Bazar bag like market shopping bags, and red leather mules reminiscent of McDonald's french fry cartons. The article, written by Helga Marsala for Artribune, praises Gvasalia's ability to transform mundane objects into luxury fetishes through irony and craftsmanship.
Key facts
- Balenciaga released a luxury version of IKEA's Frakta shopping bag.
- The bag costs $2,145 and is made of lambskin, Made in Italy.
- IKEA's original Frakta bag costs $0.99 and is made of polypropylene.
- Demna Gvasalia has been Balenciaga's creative director since 2015.
- Previous Balenciaga designs include a $5,595 blanket tote and a $3,075 Bazar bag.
- Red leather mules by Balenciaga resemble McDonald's french fry cartons.
- IKEA responded with an ironic graphic ad.
- The article was published on Artribune by Helga Marsala.
Entities
Artists
- Demna Gvasalia
- Cristobal Balenciaga
- Helga Marsala
Institutions
- Balenciaga
- IKEA
- Artribune
- McDonald's
Locations
- Italy