Ikea has issued a tongue-in-cheek guide to identifying a genuine Frakta shopping bag after Balenciaga released a strikingly similar tote priced at £1,365. The Swedish furniture giant's guide points out that a real Frakta bag rustles, costs just 40p, and can be easily cleaned with a hose.
The Balenciaga tote, with its trapezoidal shape, bright blue colour, and double strap design, has sparked a frenzy on social media. It is the latest in a series of high-fashion items inspired by everyday carriers, following Louis Vuitton's £1,000-plus laundry bag-inspired totes in 2007 and Jil Sander's £185 coated paper bags in 2012.
Balenciaga's creative director Demna Gvasalia has a history of riffing on mundane objects, including bags that resemble plastic containers for electric blankets. The trend extends beyond luxury labels: Vetements is selling a version of mesh fruit-and-veg bags, while Cos offers a similar style for £35.
This fashion movement, which blends practicality with irony, has been described as both arty and opportunistic. While some see it as a commentary on consumerism, others appreciate the utility of bags that can actually hold more than a phone. The Balenciaga tote, in particular, evokes the experience of a productive Sunday trip to Ikea, complete with the scent of meatballs.
