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Balenciaga’s Hourglass Bag: Everything You Need to Know

Black Balenciaga's Hourglass Bag

The Balenciaga (bah-len-SEE-ah-gah) Hourglass bag is the perfect marriage of classic and modern styling by Balenciaga’s creative director Demna Gvasiala. After its 2019 debut at the Fall/Winter fashion show, the Hourglass bag has made its way into modern handbag history by becoming a reimagined wardrobe staple appearing “hacked” on the Gucci runway, only furthering its popularity. Big celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Ashley Roberts, Miley Cyrus and Rihanna have been spotted carrying Balenciaga’s Hourglass Handbag, in various styles and designs giving it all the makings of an “It” bag.

So what makes the Balenciaga Hourglass bag a must have in every fashionista’s accessory?

The bold curvature of the Hourglass gives the bag an elegant resemblance to the lines that founder Cristobal Balenciaga is known for. Incorporating the linear elements in addition to the sleek body of the bag gives a timeless appeal. Despite being known for their louder graphics and in-your-face designs, Balenciaga may reach a broader market with the Hourglass bag which is more structured and less flamboyant than previous bag designs. For this reason, the Hourglass bag is a design that compliments a wide range of wardrobe styles. 

As previously mentioned, the number of high-powered celebrities who have carried the Hourglass bag are sure to be a strong influence for the Balenciaga brand. Adding fuel to the power of star status, the Balenciaga Hourglass bag was featured on the hit Sex and The City, where the infamous Carrie Bradshaw, chooses the Hourglass bag from the newsworthyGucci’s hacking of Balenciaga line. 

Gucci’s hacking of Balenciaga was referred to as The Hacker Project, but it was not actually a true “hack” but rather a collaboration between Demna Gvasalia and Gucci’s Alessandro Michele that was meant to pose questions about authenticity. Professionals in the fashion industry are careful not to emulate or copy the style of other designers but this “hack” collaboration between Gucci and Balenciaga took the creative process between fashion designers to another level.  Combining two of the most iconic fashion brands into one creation is doubling the fashion power, not that either luxury house needed a boost in their star status. 

Gucci’s Michele was quoted as saying that the creative collaboration is “playing with possibly the biggest sacrilege,” marrying varying elements and logos from two very iconic brands, “getting out of the closed-in atelier. Creativity means dialogue, continuous experimentation and freedom.” 

This dialogue between two power fashion houses brought attention to both brands and admiration of news media and fellow industry peers that two icons could work together rather than solely focus on the competitive nature that Gucci and Balenciaga have rivaled for years. Think Nike x Adidas or Christian Louboutin x Yves Saint Laurent.  It almost seems as if the impossible became the possible.  Fashion consultant Emma Hope Allwood was quoted as calling the Balenciaga x Gucci collaboration as fashion entering an “all bets are off era”.  She added, “Luxury brands and conglomerates have to make radical choices to stand out and continue to innovate.” 

How much does the Balenciaga Hourglass Bag Cost?

If you are looking to invest in an Hourglass bag, you can expect to pay at least $795 at the very low end as price typically depends on the materials that are used in the bag’s creation. Other pieces on the higher end can cost up to $3,000 or more. Various materials used in the creation of this particular bag style include calfskin leather, faux fur, glitter and canvas. Many different options and colors are available to suit your particular style preference.

How To Make Sure You’re Buying an Authentic Balenciaga Hourglass Bag?

If you are looking to purchase a bag for yourself, a friend or loved one, how do you know if the bag you are looking to purchase is an authentic Balenciaga? And what if you love the Hourglass bag and cannot quite afford the price that the Balenciaga store offers? There are resellers out there, however, make sure verification is provided on their website to ensure authenticity. 

Buyma is a luxury reseller of authentic and never before worn fashion items. Shopping at Buyma makes purchasing high end items more accessible to everyone who is passionate about fashion.  Each piece allowed into inventory for resale on Buyma is brand new and authentic and actively monitored. In addition, Buyma works with a third-party luxury authentication service to approve authenticity. Sellers are required to provide an authenticity tag, guarantee card or receipt for every item. When it comes to Balenciaga bags, the interior label of the bag gives insight about the authenticity and age of the bag. Some labels are metal nameplates, while others are leather. The style number of the bag is listed on the front or the back of the label. Other features to look for include a magnetic closure. The mini bag has a back pocket, an inner zip pocket and a patch pocket.

Balenciaga handbags have a very distinct black stitching that is irrespective of the color or style of the bag.  Another important element to ensure a Balenciaga handbag is legit is the hardware.  According to Balenciaga, the pulls on the zipper should be “soldered correctly and they should have a marking of ‘Lampo’.

Balenciaga Hourglass Bag Sizing

The Balenciaga Hourglass bag comes in a variety of sizes including: nana, XS, Small, Medium, the Balenciaga Hourglass top handle and the Hourglass stretched top handle.  Despite the unique hourglass shape of the bag, there is a decent amount of storage space.  It also comes with a removable and adjustable strap for convenient over the shoulder or crossbody wear 

As high fashion continues to evolve, expect to see surprises like Balenciaga and Gucci’s The Hacker Project. The eclectic pieces and non-traditional collaborations may have a lasting effect on the future of the fashion industry. If you are looking to purchase from these iconic brands, Buyma is a reliable option for buying authentic, never before worn fashion items. Get started on your collection today and click to check out Balenciaga Hourglass bags available now on Buyma.

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