Balenciaga Unveils the Redesigned Hourglass Avenue Bag Under Pierpaolo Piccioli

Pierpaolo Piccioli, the renowned creative director of Balenciaga, has introduced a fresh take on one of the brand's iconic handbags, the Hourglass model. This new iteration, named the Hourglass Avenue bag, features a softer silhouette, deviating from the original design's rigid structure.

Set to officially launch on Thursday in select stores and online, the Hourglass Avenue has already been spotted on the arms of celebrities, including Demi Moore and Lily Collins, who showcased the bag during the Balenciaga couture show in Paris last July. The original Hourglass bag, known for its distinct concave base, made its debut in the winter 2019 collection and drew inspiration from Cristóbal Balenciaga's celebrated waist-cinched designs from 1943.

Piccioli reflected on the significance of the hourglass shape within the brand's legacy, stating, "When approaching new ways to consider a bag inspired by this specific silhouette, I first imagine how Cristóbal Balenciaga must have conceived it." He aimed to merge architectural volumes with a soft aesthetic, ensuring the new design aligns with contemporary fashion needs. The Hourglass Avenue bag features an additional hinged handle for practicality, a flap closure for security, and various sizes with pockets for functionality, catering to a modern wardrobe.

Source: wwd.com