Balenciaga’s bagb looks like plastic shopping bags and Instagram is LOVING it

This season saw newly-appointed Balenciaga Creative Director Demna Gvasalia’s first collection hit the runway at fashion week to many sighs of relief, nods of heads and excited applause.

And while our minds were focused on the off-the-shoulder parka and other outerwear hits we can’t wait to get our hands on, the internet was busy spotting another interesting new piece.

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Slung over many of the models’ shoulders were oversized, striped tote bags in an array of different, colourful shades.

Bags that many people feel look exactly like a rainbow-coloured, stripey shopping bag available to buy in the markets of Thailand.

In fact, Instagram has been awash with people from the country snapping their very own Balenciaga vibes using the ‘Sampeng bags’.

Considering that Gvasalia told The Cut his aim for the brand is focused in the every day, we’re almost not surprised about the similarity between the two very practical – but no doubt very different in price – bags. 

“My intention is not to make clothes that are completely new, or to be in a museum”, he said in an interview. “As long as something is practical and somebody needs it in her wardrobe, then it makes sense to me.”