Balenciaga’s New $595 Slides Look A Lot Like … Birkenstocks
Image via LINORICCI
Balenciaga has launched its new Mallorca leather slides, named after the picturesque Balearic island. However, luxury consumers have noticed the sandals, which cost US$595, look familiar. In fact, they really resemble the popular leather Birkenstocks.
The luxury fashion brand is no stranger to controversy. Last year, streetwear brand Vetements publicly called out Balenciaga for ripping off its T-shirt design. One of its bags also caused a stir as it looked a lot like an IKEA tote, and the brand got into hot water for plagiarizing a fashion graduate’s portfolio.
Now, it’s back on the fashion blacklist with the Mallorca slides – which are crafted from smooth leather with wide straps accented by logo-engraved gunmetal buckles, then set on a molded insole and rubber sole. The only key difference between the Balenciaga slides and Birkenstocks is seemingly the cork-latex footbed the latter uses.
Internet users called out Balenciaga on the lookalike footwear after the clothing retailer MATCHESFASHION shared an image of it on Instagram.
“You spelled ‘Birkenstock’ wrong,” one Instagram user wrote. Another remarked, “Birkenstockiaga? Balencirkenstock?”
Curious? Check out Balenciaga’s new Mallorca slides here.
Image via LINORICCI
Image via LINORICCI
Screenshot via @matches_man
[via DMARGE, images via various sources]
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