Balenciaga debuts US$3,893 couture festival wristband

Is it 2013 again? Well if Balenciaga's newest couture accessory is anything to go by, wearing our festival wristbands until they turn straggly and gross could be coming back in vogue.

Debuted as part of the French fashion house's Autumn/Winter 2024-25 haute couture collection in Paris on July 1, the “Raver Bracelet” is purposefully distressed to mimic your wristband at the end of a messy weekend at a festival.

Hand-embroidered and held together with a sterling silver 925 clasp, the new accessory is currently available (by appointment only) for a whopping €3,500 (£3000, or around US$3,893) — with a second style featuring metallic thread priced at €4500 (around £4000 or US$5,191).

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This translates to the standard wristband selling at around eight times more expensive than a Glastonbury ticket, and around three times the value of a VIP ticket to Coachella.

Available in pink, black and blue polyester, wearing the wristband is said to require “the skills of an artist to imbue it with a worn and aged look,” according to Balenciaga's creative director Demna.

The fashion house adds that the manufacturing process requires “a full day’s work for each piece.”

Each piece - due to it being handmade and using various artisanal techniques - is “unique and intricate”, therefore if you want to get your hands on one you must book a private appointment.

Earlier this year, Balenciaga set the internet abuzz with its US$3,300 tape-inspired bangle.

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The tape bracelet was revealed during Balenciaga's Winter 2024 runway show and simply mimics a roll of tape. Demna described the item as simply: “Balenciaga Gaffer Bangle”.

Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Multimedia Editor, follow her on Twitter