Balenciaga Handbags

From LoveToKnow Handbags

Balenciaga handbags are a celebrity favorite. With their sleek, sassy styles, you may want you next handbag addition to be from the line, too.

About Balenciaga

The Balenciaga handbag line has a long history. In 1915 the young Spanish designer Cristobal Balenciaga began designing fine fashions for some of the most notable women of the ear, including the Duchess of Windsor and the Princess of Monaco.

Although Balenciaga had a few less successful years, the talent of designer Nicholas Ghesquire, who came on as creative director in the 1990's, has made the company hugely successful once again. With celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Lindsay Lohan, and Paris Hilton carrying them, Balenciaga Handbags are now at the height of couture fashion.

The Look

Most Balenciaga bags are made from distressed goat leather that offers an appealing, slightly shiny, and very unique look. The "It" bag for the line is the Balenciaga Motorcycle Bag, which offers a look that is chic, strong, and feminine all at once. The rounded rectangular bag scoops slightly below the handles and offers plenty of room.

The Motorcycle Bags are available in small, medium and large and are loaded with style. Features include:

  • Signature long leather tassels
  • Attractive silver tone stud accents
  • Mini buckle accents at bottom corners
  • Rolled double handles
  • Optional shoulder strap
  • Centered exterior zippered pocket
  • Interior zippered pocket
  • Matching cosmetic mirror

The Motorcycle Bag is also available in the La Dix Motorcycle, which offers slight design variations, and the Twiggy Motorcycle, which has a rounded, barrel type style. The Overnight Motorcycle Bag offers a more- tote-like style.

For those that love the look of quilted bags, Balenciaga offers a Motorcycle bag for you, too.

Color

Color is one area where Balenciaga handbags appear to have no boundaries. You'll find just about every color under the rainbow, from teal to metallic orange. Here are some of the hottest colors:

  • Pewter
  • Pink
  • Green Apple
  • White
  • Sky Blue
  • Deep Red
  • Forest
  • Chocolate
  • Tan

Getting Your Hands on a Balenciaga

Ogling Balenciaga handbags online is one thing; actually getting your hands on one is another story. These bags are released in limited numbers, and only several colors released each season. Waiting lists are pretty hefty to get these exclusive bags.

Register at the Balenciaga website to keep up-to-date on when new handbags will be released. Balenciaga bags are sold in high-end department stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue as well as Balenciaga boutiques. With price tags upwards of $1000, the line sits alongside names like Prada and Louis Vuitton.

How to Tell If Your Balenciaga is Authentic

Due to the limited release and big demand for Balenciaga handbags, many women turn to buying them on eBay or other secondhand sources. Counterfeiting of high end designer handbags continues to rise.

So how can you tell if the Balenciaga you bought is authentic?

  • Look for a silver nameplate with serial number.
  • Check for a contralloto card inside cosmetic mirror pocket.
  • For most styles, the bags will slouch slightly when placed on a hard surface.
  • The goat leather used by Balenciaga gets better with age -- a bag that looks worse for the wear may not be authentic.
  • The leather is also very lightweight - it should not be stiff or heavy feeling, even the tassels.
  • Price is a good determining factor -- too low may indicate a fake bag.
  • Look for solid, quality workmanship and even stitching.
  • When bidding or buying online, look for clear and close up photos.
  • Check out the reputation of the seller or before purchasing.

 


Comments

Hi Kaiya-Artzz,

Manufacturers do tend to make minor changes from time to time, but since you did not buy from an authorized retailer, it's impossible to say whether or not the bag is authentic. Your best bet is to contact the manufacturer directly with your concerns. They will be able to verify if there has been a change in the hardware and zips or not.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

i have some problem about my balenciaga bag. i bought the city bag (mogano) since 2002 or 2003 before the flagship store opened in thailand (i live in bangkok) but something of details is differrent as studd and lampo zips. it can be or not that the details changed (i forgot to tell you i bought this bag from seconded hand shop)

-- Contributed by: kaiya-artzz

Hi Karen,

It's hard to say unless you purchased it from an authorized retailer. I would check the Balenciaga website to see if where you purchased was authorized and perhaps phone the company. You can also tell a lot by the price. If the deal seems too good to be true, it likely is.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard
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