The latest must-have accessory for Gen Z isn't from a traditional fashion house, but from a cocktail brand. BuzzBallz, the viral pre-mixed drink, has sent the internet into a frenzy after its limited-edition collection of handbags sold out in a mere 40 seconds.
From Cocktails to Catwalk: The BuzzBagz Launch
Today, the brand shifted focus from booze to bags, launching an eight-piece collection of unique accessories modelled on its colourful, spherical cocktails. Dubbed 'BuzzBagz', each design was cheekily inspired by iconic bags from luxury labels like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and even Ikea.
Creators claimed each bag was worth an estimated £4,000, but they retailed for the same price as a BuzzBallz cocktail: just £3.99. The launch on the specially created 'Buzz-A-Porter' website saw thousands on a waiting list, with all eight bags snapped up almost instantly.
Designs Inspired by Iconic Brands
Vice President Jess Scheerhorn explained the collection took clear inspiration from 'the bag classics everyone knows and reinvented them'. The designs included:
- A green leather bag resembling the brand's Tequila 'Rita, embossed with 'BB' like Telfar's popular designs.
- A blue tote bearing a striking resemblance to the iconic Ikea shopper.
- A Chanel-inspired bag with a white padded exterior, gold hardware, and a chain strap.
- Other styles nodding to Coach and Chloe, and even a round version of the trendy Trader Joe's canvas tote.
'BuzzBallz have never just been a cocktail; they're a whole vibe and the unofficial accessory of every night-out storyline,' Scheerhorn added.
A Potent Brand Riding a Gen Z Wave
The bag launch capitalises on immense popularity for the US-born brand, which only took off among UK Gen Z drinkers last summer. The tennis-ball-sized containers, costing £3.99, are far more potent than the alcopops of the 1990s, containing at least 13% alcohol.
This potency has prompted some warnings, with young people noting that just a few sips can be enough to make them feel tipsy. Despite this, and research suggesting some in Gen Z are giving up drinking, BuzzBallz has become a fixture in UK corner shops.
The brand was invented by former Texan school teacher Merrilee Kick, who developed the idea for a portable cocktail. Today, millions are sold internationally in their 100% recyclable packaging.
