Balenciaga divides with release of ‘absurd’ $925 bath towel skirt

People can’t decide whether ’s new $925 bath towel skirt is an example of clever marketing or just a ploy to wipe wallets.

The unparalleled high fashion house, piloted by long-time creative director , regularly releases peculiar designs, made to look beaten down and wrecked, with purposeful outlandish price tags – see its $1,850 fully destroyed sneakers or $1,800 trash bag tote. But this particular pick from the brand’s Spring 2024 collection sparked widespread debate online as soon it became available for pre-order on 14 November.

A $927 terry-cloth towel, fashioned to be a wrap skirt, comes after the Georgian designer faced backlash for a . Following the extensive criticism, Demna said he planned on tapping into his “roots in fashion as well as to the roots of Balenciaga, which is making quality clothes – not making image or buzz”. He told his plan in February a few weeks ahead of his fall 2023 debut.

But while the designer intended to find motivation from Balenciaga founder Cristóbal moving forward, this quirky bathroom garment prompted further conversation about the brand’s continued desire to offer “absurd” luxury items.