Newsletter
It's Ikea vs. Balenciaga. Which One Will Throw in the Towel?
Oh, they're having fun on social now
Known as a global purveyor of affordable furniture and home goods, Ikea has boldly stepped into the world of fashion with the introduction of its VINARN Towel Skirt.
The tongue-in-cheek garment is exactly what it sounds like—a towel wrapped around one’s waist and worn as a skirt:
Billed as a 2024 spring fashion essential in a satirical post @Ikeauk, the faux fashion must was created to poke fun at Balenciaga’s uber expensive—and absolutely real—Towel Skirt:
It’s part of the famously over-the-top luxury fashion house’s Spring 24 collection. The model walking a dog who steps into the street at 3:18 in the above video is wearing one. The unisex Towel Skirt “in beige terry cotton” is available for pre-order, priced at $925.
Ikea’s lookalike costs $9.99.
Eager to replicate this look? You could also simply wrap any old towel around your midriff. A lot of people are doing this for fun on social media, giving the brand skirmish extra legs:
@michelleheart7 Balenciaga Towel Skirt ? Yes or No?? #956 #rgv #michelleheartmua #trending #balenciaga ♬ Balenciaga
Ikea’s towel troll isn’t the first time the brand has tangled with Balenciaga.
In 2017, the brand released the Arena, an extra-large tote bag. Constructed of wrinkled and glazed blue leather, the item cost $2,145—and closely resembled Ikea’s iconic FRAKTA totes that sell for under a buck.
At the time, Ikea’s agency ACNE responded with a clever print ad that showed consumers how to identify an authentic FRAKTA. Among the clues: a 99-cent price tag.
