It's been another weird week in retail. Chanel made athletics chic, Dunkin' unveiled a summer line with a twist and Ikea is sending someone to the happiest place on Earth.
This, and more, in this week's retail therapy.
Chanel throws up a brick
Unless you've been living under a rock, chances are you watched — or at least heard about — the Toronto Raptors taking down the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of the NBA Finals last week, the first championship title in franchise history for the Canadian team.
And while that means players will be adding some nice bling to their jewelry collections, we think this Chanel product may have been a better reward.
The French fashion house is selling a basketball priced at $3,320 AUD (about $2,300 USD). If the price tag scares you, don't back out yet. It also comes with a useless chain to wrap around the ball. Yes, it is the boujee-est thing relating to sports.
We can't say we're really surprised by this considering the number of products we've seen that are just as ridiculous as their price tags. A few years back, Tiffany unveiled an "Everyday Objects" line, which included everything from a $300 yo-yo to a $9,000 ball of yarn. And let's not forget the time Louis Vuitton began selling a $2,000 ping pong set. Chanel has had its fair share of ridiculousness as well, including a $7,700 skateboard and an $8,900 surfboard.
And because sporting everyday items with an absurd price tag is apparently the ultimate status symbol, Burberry threw its hat into the ring as well.
The designer recently released a $500 silver bracelet inspired by a bicycle chain. To put that into perspective, you could buy two actual bicycles for the same price. Who needs practicality anyway, though?
Dunkin's latest collection comes with an extra shot of absurdity
These days it seems companies in the food and restaurant industries are becoming more iconic for their marketing than their food items. This year alone we've seen everything from Hardee's-branded ski suits, to couches made by McDonald's and La-Z-Boy, to Dunkin re-releasing its shoe in honor of the Boston Marathon with sneaker brand Saucony.
And now, the doughnut and coffee brand is at it again with another weird line to entice its most loyal customers. Just in time for summer, Dunkin unveiled a line of espresso-inspired apparel, and is giving away a limited quantity to fans beginning June 21. The line includes a Latte-nk top, Latte-viators and a Latte-nkini. And while absolutely nothing pairs well with a "Latte-nkini," you can rest assured knowing you'll receive a healthy dose of caffeine with each wear.
But if you thought the food-related absurdity ended there, then you were sorely mistaken. This week both Planters' Mr. Peanut and potato chip brand Ruffles released sneakers with ridiculousness baked right into them.
Ikea wins the popularity contest with its latest sweepstakes
The Swedish retailer is recognized by fans for its meatballs almost as much as for its furniture, so when Fast Company this week reported that Ikea is now the world's sixth largest food chain, it didn't come as a shock to us.
But the company wanted to extend the joy further by sending a fan to the happiest place on Earth, which, to our surprise, was not an Ikea cafeteria surrounded by meatballs and lingonberry jam. Ikea is offering to send a customer on an all expenses paid trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, which is known for its high quality of life, according to CNBC.
The winner will spend two weeks in the city in September to find out what makes Copenhagen such a great place to live. The trip-of-a-lifetime is said to be valued at $8,000 and will include covered airfare, a Danish apartment decorated with Ikea furniture and a Danish "salary" (although the exact salary amount was not specified).
We just have one question: Where do we sign up?
The Forever 21 collaboration that's bringing back a true '90s nightmare
Much like things we post on the internet, fashion trends never really go away forever, no matter how hard we wish they would.
In its most recent collaboration, Forever 21 teamed up with Baby Phat for a new line. And yes, rhinestone heart hoop earrings are included.
Whether we wanted it or not, the '90s are making a huge comeback in retail right now, with the return of Tamagotchi and Steve Madden's "Slinky" platform sandals as just two examples.
While we'd like to think that nobody in their right mind would think about purchasing a tube top with that memorable Baby Phat cat logo on it, or a velour track jacket, we unfortunately know that won't be the case.
Baby Phat is making its legendary return as a Forever 21 collab??? Wwhhhyyyy pic.twitter.com/PwNKpGCfDi
— Livvy Liv ???? (@oliviandent) June 12, 2019