Hey 👋

This week let’s look at products that, well don't make that much sense…or maybe we’re just not the right target group. Brands have launched crazy products that help amplify status signaling or sometimes just add to consumers’ flex by coming up with something so outrageous that it can't be missed.

Let's check out some of these…

🍎Polishing Cloth by Apple

What’s better than the latest green iPhone? A polishing cloth to keep it clean. Priced at Rs.1900 and (most importantly) compatible with all iphone and ipad models.

(Yep, the Apple site highlights compatibility as an RTB).

Buy one here. Meanwhile here are a few cheaper alternatives (albeit reasonable options).

👟Destroyed Sneakers by Balenciaga

Balenciaga is offering pairs that look as if they have been worn on countless subways, substantial walks, and late nights. This distressed version is being sold as a limited edition of 100 pairs for $1,800. This bizarre wealth signifier only gets more interesting when you wear an item that only a discerning, fashion-obsessed eye can notice. The sneakers have been getting a lot of flak recently. At least 2 million consumers in China took to Weibo to voice their criticism.

👜Tiny Handbag by Jacquemus

This impractical accessory made its debut in 2019. The Jacquemus ‘Mini Chiquito’ is 2 inches huge and is just big enough to fit one airpod. Here’s the unboxing experience of the $250 bag. The bag is frequently seen on red carpets wrapped around the little fingers of celebs.

🧱Branded Brick by Supreme

What do you do when you have an awesome brand. Try selling bricks. This one’s old but worth a mention. The Supreme brick by the skateboarding brand went viral in 2019 and elicited a mixture of reactions – memes, sniggers, eye-rolls, lust and derision are merely a few of them. The brick retailed anywhere between $30 to $1000 back in the day. Head over to ebay if you are interested in buying one.

⛱️Umbrella that isn’t waterproof

Luxury label Gucci and sportswear firm Adidas AG have collaborated to sell a designer umbrella worth $1644. What irked people more than its pricing is the fact that the umbrella doesn't hold true to its raison d’etre aka it’s not waterproof and can’t protect you from rain. Though Gucci later changed its classification to “sun umbrella” or a parasol, twas too late as people smashed this bizarre product on social media. Here’s our favourite:

DavidNwaba @MiguelWilbon

Imagine buying a $1600 umbrella as a status symbol, discovering it doesn’t stop rain, then finding out it was never intended to work in the first place I’d rather get publicly swindled out of $1600 in a low level ponzi scheme than be seen holding a gucci umbrella

Vital Knowledge Media @knowledge_vital

Gucci and Adidas are facing pressure for selling a $1600 umbrella in China that isn't waterproof (a disclaimer on the product says it should be used to block the sun and for fashion purposes only) (Bloomberg)

May 18th 2022

4 Retweets10 Likes

PS: Speaking of freaky mergers, last year Crocs and Balenciaga came together in an attempt to provide you comfort and style together in footwear; however, it turned out to be a damp squib with the product called stiletto heel, which seemed to have served neither of these purposes.

👓Blue light cream

We were finally getting used to the idea of Blue Light Glasses (harmful rays coming out of your gizmo screen that can mess up your sleep schedule) when Gamer-influencer Valkyrae launched her skin-care line called RFLCT, designed to prevent the effects of blue light. Whaaa! Can blue light actually damage the skin? The product garnered much attention nay criticism for the lack of science behind these claims and efficacy.

Unsurprisingly, Valkyrae’s RFLCT shut down less than two weeks after the launch.

That’s all for this week!

If you liked our edition on these bunch of bizarre product launches, let us know in the comments below and we shall serve you with more such hot cockamamie stories 🔥🔥

Byeeee for now

Don’t forget to share some love. Click the ❤️ below.