Balenciaga's €3,500 'Raver Used Bracelet' costs more than a Glastonbury ticket

[Serendipia]

 

Luxury fashion house Balenciaga has the internet buzzing with their latest accessory: a distressed 'Raver Used Bracelet' by Balenciaga Couture, priced at an astronomical €3500 (roughly $3789 USD). Yes, you read that right. This isn't a typo—you can now pay more for a fake festival wristband than a ticket to some of the world's biggest music festivals.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Dedicated to Balenciaga by Demna (@demnagram)

 

This hand-stitched polyester bracelet boasts a purposefully "worn and aged look," designed to evoke the experience of a wild weekend at a music festival—minus the mud, questionable porta-johns, and endless port-a-potty queues.

 

But for nearly $4,000, what exactly are you getting? Balenciaga claims the bracelet is a work of art, meticulously crafted in France using traditional techniques dating back to the 1850s. It features an adjustable clasp and comes in three "distressed" colorways: pink, black, and blue.

 

The internet, however, is not buying it. Social media has erupted with memes and mockery, with many questioning Balenciaga's attempt to capture the essence of rave culture at such an exorbitant price. Critics point out that for the price of this one bracelet, you could attend multiple music festivals and experience the real deal – complete with genuine wristbands (not to mention the music, the atmosphere, and the questionable life choices).

Festival fashion on a budget? Here are some real-life options:

• Hit the festival circuit: Immerse yourself in the legendary Glastonbury (estimated ticket price: $470) or the trendsetting vibes of Coachella (estimated ticket price: $549). For a fraction of the cost of the Balenciaga bracelet, you get live music, unforgettable experiences, and the real deal wristband—a far more valuable trophy than any designer knock-off. Who knows? Maybe your festival wristband will become the next coveted accessory!
• DIY your own distressed look: Feeling crafty? Get creative and customize a plain festival wristband with fabric paint, markers, or even safety pins to achieve your own unique, "raved-out" look.
• Shop vintage: Thrift stores and online marketplaces are treasure troves for unique festival finds. You might just score a genuine, vintage festival wristband with a story for a fraction of the Balenciaga price tag.

 

The Balenciaga 'Raver Used Bracelet' is undoubtedly a unique fashion statement. However, its high price and the contrast with the affordable, sentimental value of real festival wristbands have sparked a debate. Is it a clever commentary on the commercialization of festival culture, or is it an out-of-touch fashion misstep?

 

• https://www.loudersound.com/news/fashion-company-balenciaga-is-selling-distressed-festival-wristbands-for-up-to-pound3700
• https://whatsthejam.com/uk-news/balenciaga-mocked-for-selling-fake-festival-wristbands-for-a-whopping-2900/
• https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jul/11/festival-wristband-balenciaga-3000-pounds