Mary Poppins was a woman who knew the importance of a big bag: hers could fit a coat rack, a mirror, a plant, a lamp, some shoes, a coat and a tape measure.
If ever there was a bag in real life that could fit a selection of household items, it's the ubiquitous blue Ikea "Frakta" hold-all. Costing just 70 cents, it has carried millions of tea lights and picture frames, finding a second life holding wellies and wetsuits and laundry in homes all over the world.
Who wore it better? Balenciaga or IKEA? pic.twitter.com/LCB9Qri2xN
— Mikael Pawlo (@mpawlo) April 18, 2017
HAHAHAHAHA Balenciaga Is Selling the Ikea Tote for $2,145: https://t.co/BemTr6ttw4 via @TeenVogue pic.twitter.com/FvO3ag9EKa
— Thuy Ong (@ThuyOng) April 19, 2017
Balenciaga makes $2000 bag that's an "homage" to the IKEA shopping bag and I'm like fashion you're crazy but I can't quit you. pic.twitter.com/wLIhmjmfy2
— Kate Bennett (@KateBennett_DC) April 18, 2017
Imagine then, the confusion among fashionistas this week to realise that the French designer label Balenciaga has just launched a bag that looks suspiciously like the Ikea Frakta... apart from the €1,695 price tag.
The bags share a number of striking similarities, from the bright blue material – recyclable plastic in the case of Ikea, “glazed leather” for Balenciaga – to the double-strap feature and large hold-all size.
Online, eagle-eyed fashion lovers had a field day.
The French fashion house hasn’t responded to the comparison, but Ikea is taking it in good humour, with a spokeman saying: “We are deeply flattered that the Balenciaga tote bag resembles the Ikea iconic sustainable blue bag for 99 cents. Nothing beats the versatility of a great big blue bag!”
This isn’t the only item of this season’s Balenciaga collection to resemble other well-known items. Its Spring 2017 reworking of its cult puffer jacket reminds many of a lifejacket – again, one with a hefty price tag. You can buy it on Net-a-Porter for $2,525 (€2,358)