Balenciaga Creates a $2145 Version of IKEA's $1 Tote Bag

Mixing high-end/low-end style isn’t exactly a new concept in the fashion world, but Balenciaga has taken the aesthetic to new—and slightly ludicrous—heights: As CNN reports, the French luxury brand has designed a blue tote bag that’s drawing comparisons to IKEA’s famously inexpensive and durable 99-cent shopping bag. Their version costs $2145.

It’s unclear whether or not Balenciaga actually drew sartorial inspiration from the popular Swedish furniture retailer, but the resemblance between their "Arena" tote and IKEA’s utilitarian "Frakta" carryall is unmistakable: Both bags are oversized, crinkly, and bright blue, with both short and long handles and plenty of storage space.

Balenciaga

Balenciaga

The difference is in the details: IKEA’s bag is made from a synthetic material, polypropylene, and its handles are emblazoned with the retailer’s logo. Balenciaga's tote is crafted from "glazed leather," and bears a gold-stamped logo (and costs 2145 times as much as its reusable counterpart).

IKEA

Balenciaga is selling its blue bag at high-end department store Barneys. But whether the concept of a luxury, IKEA-inspired bag makes you feel amused, angry, or simply poor, the situation is proof that customers from all income brackets can appreciate a roomy, ultra-practical tote.

"We are deeply flattered that the Balenciaga tote bag resembles the IKEA iconic sustainable blue bag for 99 cents," IKEA commented, according to TODAY. 'Nothing beats the versatility of a great big blue bag!" (Although an affordable price point never hurts, either.)

[h/t CNN]