Back in 2019, Balenciaga released a sleek new bag that arguably shifted the brand’s direction as a whole, paving the way for the Balenciaga that we know today. The days of creative director Demna Gvasalia’s outlandish designs and in-your-face logo bags are gone. They’ve been replaced by House staples that are an ode to the brand’s rich history, like the Neo Classic and the Le Cagole, which pay homage to Balenciaga’s beloved moto bags. Then, there’s the one that shifted it all: the Hourglass Bag.
A new essential for the House, the Hourglass bag, which gets its name from the unique curved shape of the bag, also has historical roots. Its origins come from founder Cristóbal Balenciaga’s roots in tailoring. The bag’s curves mirror the lines of the architectural garments from the ’50s, which are firmly rooted in Balenciaga’s DNA even still today.
A New House Staple
When the Hourglass bag was first released, I mused on whether or not it had the power to stick around, ultimately believing that the bag, which strikes the perfect balance of modern and classic, had the potential to be more than a one-season wonder. The first versions of the bag sold out at retailers across the globe, which was a pretty good indicator that the bag wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Nearly 3 years later, the Hourglass remains an integral part of the Balenciaga brand, and it’s here to stay. The Hourglass has been reimagined season after season by Gvasalia and his team, even appearing hacked on the Gucci runway, which was an unprecedented move further cementing the Hourglass’s place in modern handbag history. The Hourglass has also made many celebrity fans along the way, giving it all the makings of an It-Bag.
Are you surprised the Hourglass bag has stuck around?
Shop the Balenciaga Hourglass Bag
