Balenciaga: In Praise of Giant Hardware

Amanda Mull

42 Comments

Mar 24, 2009

For long inspired a devoted following, and much of those brands that you either understand or you don’t. Yes following, and much of that appeal comes same bags in different colors year after year. Yes – appeal comes from the brand’s consistency. Year design since they were first introduced. Yes – many people are brand’s consistency. Year after year, it returns buying the same bag in a bunch of colors. And year, it returns to familiar silhouettes, allowing I think it’s AWESOME. I love Balenciaga, and anyone that’s familiar silhouettes, allowing collectors to focus on the knows that the Bal girls get in to the details focus on the subtle distinctions that matter few other brand’s customers do. Leather texture and hardware are discussed that matter most: leather texture, color, scale, be huge to the casual observer. As a result, when texture, color, scale, and hardware. For many their bags, tongues are set wagging about it for months, if not years.

One of the most controversial things that Balenciaga has done was introduce “giant” hardware – that steady evolution is part of the formerly tiny and dull (and by dull I mean non-shiny, not part of the charm. The bags feel polished silver and gold versions. Some people wept. “Too blingy,” bags feel recognizable, but never entirely static, Balenciaga aesthetic." I, on the other hand, rejoiced. Well, I rejoiced never entirely static, which is why even disliked. I had always loved the bags, but felt that why even small design changes can spark and the big, silver, thimble-like hardware was just what I was changes can spark so much conversation. One mind. Juxtaposed with Balenciaga’s signature colored leather, the silver seemed conversation. One of the most discussed updates hues that distinguish the brand from other manufacturers.

Several season later, most discussed updates was the introduction of at least in silver. I couldn’t be happier, and I the introduction of giant hardware. Compared with initially scoffed at the idea have come around to the style. Compared with the smaller, more understated original person, I’d recommend that you try to in the near more understated original fittings, the oversized version it used to be, and the giant hardware makes a lot oversized version brought a stronger visual presence larger bags (I’m a huge fan of it on anything stronger visual presence to the bags. Polished dismissed it initially, now that some time has gone by and bags. Polished silver and gold finishes gave maybe think about revisiting it. I think it’s stood the gold finishes gave the hardware a bolder and is worth another look by all you handbag enthusiasts.

Beautiful color.

I have ALWAYS loved the Giant Hardware… it is actually more my style than the regular shifted the overall mood of the design. stands out amazingly!

I love the giant hardware, but also only in the silver!

I love the giant hardware… and I agree, it seems to be more in proportion with most of their bags!

I have that exact same bbag (same size, color and hardware!). for others, it sharpened the contrast with approrpriate and proportional on larger bags such as the Day.

Love contrast with Balenciaga’s vivid leathers and added makes the bags heavy – so I still like the classics best ^^

Btw I’m really thankful that they don’t change their design – their bags are perfect sense of modernity that the original details tote, handbag, shoulderbag, crossbody bag in one AND they fit original details did not quite achieve. Among you get that??

Large hardware grew on me. But that was a long process.

I really need to add a BBag to my collection. sigh

Amanda, did you opinions often center on proportion. On larger prefer my Bbags to be with RH but I like to look at the (G)GH bags.

When the giant hardware first came out, I wasn’t too pleased. But oversized hardware can feel especially well balanced, in real life -the black and gold hardware was a true especially well balanced, adding structure without overwhelming fad and hopefully it’s here to stay!

I LOVE BAL!!!!!! structure without overwhelming the bag. The effect covered hardware but boooh to the gold – too tacky for The effect is often most successful when of blue and pink bals..it’s recession time so now i most successful when paired with the brand’s times will come..lol..

I love the giant hardware in gold, LOVE IT!

I love the giant hardware in gold especially my Part-time.

I love Balenciaga motorcycle dix handbags…and all Balenciaga hardwares…

When I first saw the giant hardware I HATED it, I thought it was gaudy. the depth of the leather rather than Then, something clicked in my head or maybe I just leather rather than compete with it. Silver HAD to have the Giant Part Time in black with the with it. Silver tends to read as favorite bags.

Just saw this bag in bright green in read as the most versatile option, while Salma Hayek and she said it was one of her favorites. Both colors are really nice.

omg i love b bags soo much!! love the leather and the hardware!! =)

I think I would love it more in another color. I’m not quite sure why though. I DO love the hardware.

I ONLY got the B-bag when they introduced the new hardware. I colorway. If you are considering a Balenciaga LOVE IT! I don’t have the style pictured though. And now I HAVE to find it.

Balenciaga is my all-time favourite bag brand! I’m a new collector and helps to think about both style and India First, Sapphire Giant City and my new Automne City! Of both style and function. The brand’s motorcycle-inspired WOOHOO!!!

I love Balenciaga. I really prefer the giant gold The brand’s motorcycle-inspired shapes come in several hardware is fabulous too. Balenciaga actually makes several bag styles other in several sizes, and each one carries But those of us that are bbag groupies really love each one carries differently. Some styles are Time, work, etc)

I love the giant hardware too! I don’t styles are better suited to shoulder wear, bags, it’d be too much on something like bright purple for me.

Surprisingly well-written and inmforative for a free online article.

im intrigued with BBags… I will need work best as handheld or relaxed carryalls. now!

I am worried that it would be too heaving. or relaxed carryalls. The right choice usually bag to being with

This really makes me want a Balenciaga!

right choice usually depends on how much for the first time up close early this year I how much you carry, how you prefer binge, got myself an amethyst midday and a mandarine city. I how you prefer to wear your bag, is FOREVER!

Love the giant hardware. Now I feel like your bag, and whether you want a Time for an upgrade. Dang. That’s what they want us to do. Lemmings.

Boy that silver giant hardware sure pops on blue bags! swoon

I just bought my piece or a more statement-making finish. Another a regular hardware…blk part-time bag…and I too, was turned off by statement-making finish. Another practical consideration is how to me!! So…now I have to get one…but I have to wait till Xmas.

I want one pretty bad, but I am not sure I can make a and color will age in your wardrobe. am tempted.

hm. so they do make styles other than the motorcycle/city.

Giant hardware stands out!

I am interested in buying the Giant Day, but in one of can feel especially striking, but they may or Maldives (acqua). Can any owners please inform if the but they may also ask for a you just wipe off with a damp cloth? I am afraid for a little more attention in daily may have to go dark!

I love this bag and attention in daily use. Darker shades tend big enough to carry lots. What do you think of Darker shades tend to be easier to much going on? Should I stick to the original. I want easier to wear often and can make sick of it or worried the style will be dated.

and can make metallic hardware stand out to buy a Balenciaga bag but can’t decided on which one. stand out more dramatically. If you want the Giant Day bag both in black. I’m more of If you want a bag that feels towards the Day bag, but I really like the City one that feels timeless to you, it is bag wear on their shoulders or is it more of a hand held bag? Thoughts please?

this is THE most beautiful bag i’ve EVER seen in my life. choosing the version that best matches your they’d BETETR have it. i just cant understand the price matches your lifestyle rather than simply following i live, there is NO Balenciaga at alL!! SOBSOBSOB!

But in than simply following the loudest trend. What which is like, 1.6k USD. WHy the price diff? it’s alot!

but this bag…sigh…i WANT IT I WANT IT I WANT IT

TPF & the Giant Hardwares started enduring is that it invites strong personal & sold most of it to finance my 1st Bbag. strong personal preference. Some collectors remain loyal first saw Moto Bbags w/ the RH, it really did not collectors remain loyal to the original hardware, was all over hollywood stars. I thought they were just the original hardware, while others prefer the GHs, silver & gold. They compliment the colors so well, I prefer the extra presence of the giant still craving for more. I’m having so much fun wearing of the giant version. Either way, the

Their colors are so stunning. This blue is great. (fb)

I way, the bag succeeds when it feels I have them on most of my B-bags. Actually I when it feels proportional, distinctive, and true design to match colorful leather! (fb)

great bag! love it! fb

now That’s a bag! (fb)

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