The Paris Olympics are rapidly approaching and luxury brand Balenciaga has jumped on the occasion to design a luxury souvenir collection. The designs might look familiar, as they were inspired by the well-known “I Heart Paris” souvenirs sold all throughout the French capital.
Tacky souvenirs are part of more or less every tourist destination and Paris has been no exception to that. Vendors all across town have been selling “I Heart Paris” shirts for years and one could organise a competition to find the ugliest, most kitsch postcard of the Eiffel Tower out there.
Those corny items haven’t gone unnoticed and, with the summer crowds and the Olympics arriving to Paris, Balenciaga has now launched its very own Paris souvenir collection. The new line was released to coincide with the brand’s Haute Couture show during Paris Fashion Week and has immediately caught the attention of the public.
Looking at the collection, which is available to buy online and at the Balenciaga shop in Paris, it’s hard to explain the sky-high prices. An “I Heart Paris & Balenciaga” hoodie will set you back 895 euros, while a tote bag carrying the same slogan costs 195 euros. Flip-flops with a cliché print of the Eiffel Tower are priced at 350 euros and seven postcards – the cheapest item in the Balenciaga souvenir shop – come in at 75 euros.
In total, 86 different items are available for anyone wanting to express their love for Paris and Balenciaga and have a well-filled wallet. Even though the collection will certainly have its moment of fame and success, not everyone online seems to agree with the luxury brand’s designs, as many are pointing out the steep prices and the not-so-original aesthetics.
It is not the first time Balenciaga grabs the attention of the fashion public and the press with its somewhat shocking launches. The luxury brand has previously designed a skirt that looked much like a wrapped-around towel, a purse looking like a white-and-red-coloured trash bag and a bracelet clearly inspired by a roll of tape.
