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’?
