Founder of Balenciaga, a luxury brand that released tape bracelets worth almost IDR 70 million

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lBisnis.com, JAKARTA — The French luxury brand, Balenciaga, has shocked the virtual world again after launching a tape-shaped bracelet.

Not only is the shape of the bracelet unique, but the price is also fantastic, worth US$4,400 or the equivalent of Rp. 69.84 million. The bracelet, which is made to resemble a roll of transparent tape, is part of Balenciaga’s fall/winter 2024-25 collection, which was launched on March 3, 2024 at Paris Fashion Week.

Balenciaga is no stranger to provocation to, ironically, address criticism of consumerism and capitalism, and challenge perceptions of value and desirability in contemporary fashion.

In 2017, the brand released the “Arena” extra-large shopping tote bag worth US$2,000 or around IDR 31.7 million, which is similar in shape to the blue Ikea shopping bag worth US$0.99 or only IDR 15,000.

In 2022, Balenciaga also launched Trash Pouches, the “most expensive trash bag” made from genuine cowhide leather priced at US$1,100.

Not to forget, earlier this year Balenciaga’s famous “towel skirt” from the Spring 2024 collection retailed for US$925, which made the wearer look like he had just finished showering.

Founder of Balenciaga

Cristóbal Balenciaga Eizaguirre was born on January 21, 1895. He was a Spanish fashion designer and founder of the Balenciaga fashion house in 1919.

Born in the Basque town of Getaria, Spain, Balenciaga was the son of a fisherman and a tailor. His father died when he was young, so Balenciaga spent much of his childhood with his mother

At only 12 years old, he began trying his luck as an apprentice tailor. However, luck led him to meet the Marchioness de Casa Torres, a prominent noblewoman in his city, who later became his regular customer.

With his help, Balenciaga was sent to Madrid to study and practice sewing formally.

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Successfully building his career, Balenciaga opened a boutique in San Sebastián in 1919, which then developed and expanded to Madrid and Barcelona. His work was appreciated even by the nobility, including by the Spanish Royal Family.

However, when the Spanish Civil War broke out, it forced him to close shop, leading him to move to Paris. There he opened a Paris fashion house on Avenue George V in August 1937.

She managed to maintain her fame until in 1960 she was appointed to make the wedding dress for Fabiola de Mora y Aragón who married King Baudouin of Belgium.

He also created many designs for socialite Aline Griffith, diplomat Margarita Salaverría Galárraga, and designer Meye Allende de Maier. He also taught fashion design classes, and inspired other designers including Oscar de la Renta, André Courrèges, Emanuel Ungaro, Mila Schön, and Hubert de Givenchy.

Meanwhile, he also served some of his most famous clients such as Mona von Bismarck, Gloria Guinness, Grace Kelly, Ava Gardner, Audrey Hepburn, and Jackie Kennedy.

Balenciaga retired from the world of high fashion in 1968 at the age of 74 after working in Paris for thirty years.

Balenciaga died in 1972 at the age of 77 due to a heart attack followed by heart failure. He was buried in his hometown Getaria.

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