For those of you who don’t keep up with designer bags worth thousands of dollars, Balenciaga’s Arena Extra-Large Shopper Tote Bag is a gorgeous shade of blue and made of wrinkled, glazed leather. It’ll run you $2,145 US but is basically big enough to fit a small toddler so it seems like a steal.
Once you take a closer look, you might just realize you’ve seen this bag before — every time you’ve taken a trip to Ikea. Their iconic Frakta tote bags, which are all over the store in case you’ve gone overboard in the marketplace and don’t have a cart handy, are just as durable and just as blue — but will only cost you a loonie.
In the days following Balenciaga’s release of the bag, Ikea got in on the fun on social media, from both its U.K. and Canada Twitter feeds.
Inspiring catwalk fashion est 1996, the timeless IKEA FRAKTA bag fits any outfit, in fact, 25kg worth #balenciaga https://t.co/aDtwZGxIKX pic.twitter.com/gmU30G9XpZ
— IKEA UK (@IKEAUK) April 20, 2017
🤔 #IKEAorCouture ? pic.twitter.com/y0iqeXysET
— IKEA Canada (@IKEACanada) April 21, 2017
But the Scandinavian furniture and home furnishings retailer decided to take it a step further. With the help of creative agency ACNE Collective, Ikea has released a hilarious ad that will “help” customers distinguish between Ikea’s Frakta and Balenciaga’s pricey poser.
Ikea’s explanation of how to identify an original Ikea Frakta is pretty simple. Basically, if it’s multifunctional, easy to clean, and shakes when it’s rustled, it’s the real deal, and anything else is overrated and overpriced. Because for a mere dollar, why wouldn’t you opt for the Frakta over the Balenciaga? Minus the yellow name stamped all around the nylon handles, the bags are virtually interchangeable. Go with Ikea’s and, instead, use that money you’ll save on a different, less Ikea-y-looking tote.
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