Balenciaga sells destroyed sneakers for €1,500 as limited edition
Balenciaga, under creative director Demna Gvasalia, has released a limited edition of 100 pairs of 'fully destroyed' Paris sneakers priced at €1,500. The campaign, photographed by Leopold Duchemin, adopts a worn aesthetic inspired by grunge and Converse style, with exposed rubber and covered ankles. While the advertisement suggests extreme wear, only one version is truly damaged; the rest resemble standard canvas low-tops. The move is seen as a publicity stunt rather than a genuine collection, continuing the brand's trend of paradoxically selling distressed luxury items.
Key facts
- Balenciaga released 'fully destroyed' Paris sneakers as a limited edition of 100 pairs.
- The sneakers cost €1,500.
- Creative director Demna Gvasalia designed the campaign.
- Photographer Leopold Duchemin shot the campaign.
- The aesthetic references grunge and Converse style.
- Only one version of the sneaker is truly damaged.
- The rest of the sneakers are similar to standard canvas low-tops.
- The release is considered a publicity stunt.
Entities
Artists
- Demna Gvasalia
- Leopold Duchemin
Institutions
- Balenciaga
- Kering