From Peking duck bags to boxer brief skirts: Balenciaga’s provocative playbook

What happened Luxury fashion house Balenciaga found itself at the center of another digital firestorm after its 4,500 RMB ($620) mini skirt was pulled from online channels on June 3. The deep-blue stretch jersey piece, part of the brand’s Fall 2025 collection, sparked widespread mockery on Chinese social media, where users likened the design to men’s boxer briefs with the crotch cut out. The hashtag “Balenciaga’s 4,500 RMB skirt removed from online shelves” (#巴黎世家线上已下架4500元半身裙#) has amassed nearly 70 million views on Weibo as of writing, vaulting it onto the platform’s Hot Search list. Despite harsh criticism, offline demand persists. Balenciaga’s mini skirt, which was still available in select brick-and-mortar stores, reportedly experienced a short-lived rush. Netizens derided the piece as part of a growing catalog of Balenciaga “IQ tax” (智商税) products, referring to the extra money people pay for products or services due to poor judgment, lack of knowledge, or being misled. They referenced previous controversies including a 12,000 RMB ($1,670) leather “trash bag” and a 2,700 RMB ($375) stainless steel hair clip. Duck bags flying Meanwhile, Balenciaga doubled down on kitsch with the launch of a 15,500 RMB ($2,150) “Peking Duck” clutch to mark the opening of its largest global flagship in Beijing’s Sanlitun. Made from Italian leather and resembling a vacuum-sealed snack bag, the clutch quickly sold nearly 20 units, with a matching 6,500 RMB keychain now sold out online. The related hashtag, “Balenciaga launches 15,500 RMB Peking Duck bag” racked up 62 million views on Weibo. The Jing Take Balenciaga’s strategy of courting controversy through absurdist design and extreme price points has again proven effective in dominating attention spans — at least temporarily. The brand’s 4,500 RMB skirt may have vanished from digital shelves, but not before igniting a frenzy of ridicule and debate that blurred the line between fashion critique and cultural commentary. This polarizing model (offbeat product + viral backlash + limited release) has become a predictable but potent playbook for the brand under Demna. Whether it’s an intentional Dadaist gesture or cynical marketing, Balenciaga continues to trade cultural cachet for clicks. Weibo weighs in As Weibo user Nanguiguyi (@南归孤夷) dryly noted under a a 15,500 RMB ($2,158) Peking Duck clutch bag: “Balenciaga’s recent releases are pretty good — doesn’t scam the poor.” Another Weibo user Ruk (@RUK若舒刻) wrote: “Actually, this is nothing unusual in the world of Balenciaga. This Peking Duck Bag is a special custom release to commemorate the brand’s recent opening of its largest global flagship store in Beijing’s Sanlitun Taikoo Li. Peking Duck, a highly nostalgic local specialty; the chips bag’s quirky trompe-l’œil design — a classic example of Balenciaga’s signature aesthetic system.” Yet, this balancing act has consequences. While such products targer ultra-niche, symbol-hungry consumers, they risk alienating broader luxury audiences. With parent company Kering reporting a 14% YoY revenue drop in Q1 2025, and the “Other Houses” segment, which includes Balenciaga, down 11%, over-reliance on provocation could accelerate brand dilution. In an era when luxury must straddle creativity, relevance, and trust, Balenciaga’s latest stunt raises a familiar question: How long can shock sustain value? The Jing Take reports on a piece of the leading news and presents our editorial team’s analysis of the key implications for the luxury industry. In the recurring column, we analyze everything from product drops and mergers to heated debate sprouting on Chinese social media.

Balenciaga viral $620 boxer brief skirt stirs outrage — and sales

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Balenciaga viral $620 boxer brief skirt stirs outrage — and sales