A new backpack designed to look like the bald head of Russian singer Katya Kischuk has sparked a strong reaction from social media users after it was featured online.
The controversial item was created by a designer known by the handle Byonix and was showcased on the Instagram page of Labbeye, a visual culture magazine based in Paris.
The accessory depicts the face of the former Serebro pop group member with a completely shaved head. Clear plastic tubes hang from the base of the design, and the silicone skin is painted with dark marks that resemble severe bruises or hematomas.
The creators stated in the product description that the bag is made from a combination of silicone, paint, leather and plastic. They added that the item was assembled by hand and that every detail was part of a larger piece of work.
Social media backlash
Commenters on the magazine post expressed shock and disgust at the design. Several users called the item terrible and questioned whether making an accessory out of a bruised woman's head could be considered beautiful or fashionable.
Other users simply asked the designer to stop and described the piece as a horror.
Shock fashion trends
Kischuk is a prominent figure in Russian pop culture. She joined Serebro, a successful girl group originally formed by music producer Maxim Fadeev, in 2016 following a highly publicised open casting call on social media. The group had previously gained international recognition after representing Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest. Kischuk eventually left the band in 2019 to pursue a solo music career and work in fashion modeling.
The lifelike head backpack follows a broader trend of provocative fashion releases designed to generate viral outrage and debate online. The source noted that in August, social media users reacted strongly to a jacket released by a clothing brand that had previously withdrawn from the Russian market. That garment drew attention because it was explicitly styled to look like a traditional padded prison uniform.
