Wearing a low-cost imitation of Balenciaga's £695 "towel skirt," Dame Kelly Holmes showcased a fresh blonde hairstyle live on television.
Today on ITV's Loose Women, the 53-year-old athlete from Kent modeled a £20 towel, and host Christine Lampard said it was a smash.
The luxury Spanish brand has drawn criticism after demanding that customers pay about £700 for what seems to be a waist-wrapped towel.
The version by Balenciaga, which launched with their Spring 2024 collection, looks to be a knee-length beige dress composed of towel material with a terry cotton feel.
Kelly appeared earlier today, strolling out from behind the curtains on the stage, clothed in the standard beige 'less than 20 quid' towel.
"If you'd like to come over here Kelly," said Christine.
"Perfect!" Then the audience broke out in convulsions of laughter when the host hesitated.
She introduced: "This is our general towel, less than 20 quid, version of Balenciaga's."
"Now we couldn't afford the real one so we've done our best to recreate it. The real one everyone is 100 percent cotton which I'm guessing that the dupe is," Christine joked.
Christine continued by saying that although the original Balenciaga towel was available in multiple sizes, you could accomplish the same look by simply modifying the fit of your own towel.
Kelly tried her hardest to model the towel for the audience as she danced around the stage, adding to the humorous scene. Then Kelly commented on how cozy the towel was.
The towel appeared "identical," according to other panelists, to its £695 twin; however, the luxury version would require dry cleaning instead of putting it in the washer.
Afterward, they agreed that the price would not deter "fashionistas" or celebrities like Kanye West.
A towel that looks identical has been seen at Dunelm for £11, which is £684 less expensive. Customers have been quick to mock the ridiculous design since Balenciaga introduced this unisex style.
"Did Balenciaga just release a towel skirt? They're just selling their brand," asked one individual.
Another person brought up the criticism it had the previous year for utilizing kids and bonded bears in an advertisement campaign, asking the audience: "To dry themselves from washing away their sins?"
Someone exclaimed: "People still gonna buy it, which is insane."
Sizes small and medium of the Balenciaga Towel Skirt in Beige are available for pre-order. The item is made in Italy.
The Balenciaga emblem is embroidered tone-on-tone at the front of the knee-length skirt.
"This item is unisex," says the manufacturer's description.
