When I think of Balenciaga, I immediately think of two things: its iconic City bag, and creative director Demna Gvasalia’s often loud, sometimes outlandish designs. Popular amongst streetwear lovers, influencers and celebrities alike, Balenciaga’s bags are often easily identifiable by their bold logos and witty graphics. For fall 2019, the brand introduced a new bag that, though easy to spot as a Balenciaga, introduced a sleeker, less in-your-face, direction for the brand. Enter: the Balenciaga Hourglass Bag.
The Hourglass Bag gets its name from the unique curved shape of the bag. The chic design of this bag is incredibly unique and it’s finished with a flap closure accented with a matte gold B. There are currently a few different iterations of the bag from an XS embossed croc version to a larger matte calfskin version, the bag is already beloved by celebs and influencers. The Hourglass bag works for a few reasons, it’s both different and new, and yet it strikes the perfect balance of modern and classic. It’s been a while since Balenciga produced an instant hit, and though the Hourglass bag has all the makings of one (it’s already so loved that it’s currently sold out almost everywhere) does it have the power to reach City Bag status?
The Hourglass Bag definitely has the potential to stick around. However the instagram age, coupled with the more is more mentality of younger consumers, means it’s harder than ever for designers to make a bag that sticks. While some of Demna Gvasalia’s designs are arguably just safe sellers, geared towards millennials and the logo-lover, the Hourglass Bag can resonate with a wider consumer base. The sleek, structured design and toned down logo make this bag a solid choice for many, meaning it’s more likely to stand the test of time as trends ebb and flow. While only time will truly tell if this bag is a one-season wonder or a potential classic, its currently popularity cannot be denied. Do you think the Balenciaga Hourglass Bag is the brand’s next big ‘it-bag’?
The design reduces capacity without reducing overall size. That’s a lose-lose.
Deleted your double post and I agree!
I love the hourglass bag! I think it’s beautifully unique and futuristic-looking. I purchased it 2 months ago and I wear it out non-stop. I actually bought it in the hot pink mini, as a nice pop of color to my neutral bag collection. However, I’d love to have it in multiple colors and sizes. It’s the coolest.
Well, unlike many of you I actually have owned the small hourglass in black croc since late August, so I feel like I’ve had it long enough to give a proper review in a sense. I received it as a gift before it truly hit its major spike in popularity, and it was love at first sight… (now I’m going to preface this by saying I’m referring to the blacked-out croc version that I own, because I’m not a fan of the regular version) The bag has all the makings of a classic, but possesses a very unique, futuristic edge to it. It fits a LOT in the small btw, for everyone who’s saying the curve will make it hard to fit their stuff. It’s not overly branded like these tacky logo mania bags in the last year or so… and the blacked out hardware with the black croc-embossed honestly makes the piece so classic BUT different enough to stand out in a crowd of boring everyday bags… I’ve owned about 20 different city bags over the last 15 years, and as much as I love them, Balenciaga as a brand needed to come out with something else! I mean common, every bag since the city has been somewhat of a bore or a train wreck copy design… and they needed a great, original STRUCTURED bag! This is that bag. I even love how for spring 2020 they’re making the hourglass into a belt bag, and they have an xs silver version, SO cute. There’s a reason why this bag is literally sold out everywhere in almost every country for months, and it’s not because it’s a bag that will fade away in less than a year.
Well, unlike many of you I actually have owned the small hourglass in black croc since late August, so I feel like I’ve had it long enough to give a proper review in a sense. I received it as a gift before it truly hit its major spike in popularity, and it was love at first sight… (now I’m going to preface this by saying I’m referring to the blacked-out croc version that I own, because I’m not a fan of the regular version) The bag has all the makings of a classic, but possesses a very unique, futuristic edge to it. It fits a LOT in the small btw, for everyone who’s saying the curve will make it hard to fit their stuff. It’s not overly branded like these tacky logo mania bags in the last year or so… and the blacked out hardware with the black croc-embossed honestly makes the piece so classic BUT different enough to stand out in a crowd of boring everyday bags… I’ve owned about 20 different city bags over the last 15 years, and as much as I love them, Balenciaga as a brand needed to come out with something else! I mean common, every bag since the city has been somewhat of a bore or a train wreck copy design… and they needed a great, original STRUCTURED bag! This is that bag. I even love how for spring 2020 they’re making the hourglass into a belt bag, and they have an xs silver version, SO cute. There’s a reason why this bag is literally sold out everywhere in almost every country for months, and it’s not because it’s a bag that will fade away in less than a year.
OK, I totally caved and got the medium one…I am so weak:)))
I love it because its well structured with a bit of a twist. And its brilliant. I like something new always and is always puzzled by people who are into classics. I know classics are beautiful but come on, this is the future:) just my opinion
no.
My thoughts exactly! The distinctive shape is EXACTLY what makes it so that it will not stick around. Will look dated in 6 months, let alone 6 years.
To angular, to extreme. Flash in the pan appeal.
Once a new creative director comes and redesign the logo, this bag will be as obsolete as any other bags created after Nicolas Ghesquière.
Demna is cool but the only bag that will remain on Balenciaga’s catalogue, 20 years from now, is the city motorcycle one.
I really love this bag (in particular its bold shape) EXCEPT for the gold B… With a couple of exceptions, logo hardware is just tacky.
Which bags/brands do you like logo hardware on? I know it’s not a favorite of yours, but curious when you do like it
I think it’s okay on the Hermès Constance bags, on the LV Twist, and Chanel bags of course.
No, I view an “It” bag as something that is classic and sophisticated and this is not “It”.
It’s a very cool bag, but I would need to see it in person. It doesn’t look very functional.
Mmmmm, it might although it is probably too out there for most, not “classic” enough:)) Me likey!
I’m surprised this is a question. Isn’t it obvious? Bag is an ugly gimmick.
No. I’ve seen it twice and it already looks dated.
The design is refreshing enough, but my OCD flares up when I see the bottom corners with useless space.
This! I am innately OCD. I can walk into a room and my eye will immediately, like a magnet, see the picture that is slightly off center and no-one but me notices or is bothered by it. Also, since moving into a new house I put my furniture against the wall, but measured it to ensure that it was exactly in the middle. I do this with everything. Why? I don’t know, but sometimes I drive myself crazy. ?
Not my fav shape. Too structured.