Brazilian influencer Virginia Fonseca has divided opinion online after appearing on Instagram in a ripped designer T-shirt worth around 4,000 Brazilian reais.
The 27-year-old entrepreneur took to social media on Friday morning to address the flurry of amused comments from fans, quickly clarifying that the tears in the luxury garment were deliberate rather than the work of hungry pests.
Fonseca showed off the distressed baby-pink top during her daily morning chat with followers, pairing the contentious piece with patterned sweatpants in the same shade. While filming the clip to promote a perfume from her own brand, she initially said nothing about her clothing until viewers began posting jokes about the holes in the fabric.
In a second image highlighting the tear in the fabric, Fonseca addressed the reaction with humour. She told her followers that the distressed look was the intended style of the shirt, writing that moths had not caused the damage.
Her explanation did not deter critics on X, formerly known as Twitter, where users quickly poked fun at the high-fashion item. One commenter joked that they had several similar tops at home to sell for far less money, while another questioned why Fonseca was wearing torn clothes and admitted to not understanding the new trend. A third user pointed out that Fonseca struck an unusual balance by wearing a torn shirt alongside a handbag worth millions.
Balenciaga price tag and distressed designs
The garment at the centre of the debate is the Gothic Type Shrunk T-shirt from Spanish luxury fashion house Balenciaga. On the official website for the brand, the baby-pink cotton top sells for approximately 4,000 Brazilian reais.
Balenciaga, founded in Spain in 1919 by couturier Cristobal Balenciaga and now based in Paris, is widely known in the luxury industry for its streetwear-led designs and deconstructed aesthetic. Under modern luxury fashion conventions, pre-distressed garments with raw cuts and holes are frequently sold at premium prices, often generating debate among shoppers and fashion critics.
Madrid Formula 1 Grand Prix outfit controversy
The social media stir over the pink top is not the first time Fonseca has faced pushback over her wardrobe choices. Last weekend, the digital star divided public opinion after posting her outfit for the Madrid Formula 1 Grand Prix.
For the motorsport event in the Spanish capital, the Brazilian creator wore a black top alongside low-waisted trousers featuring distinctive side cutouts in black, orange, and yellow. The styling quickly drew a wave of criticism across social networks.
Users on X attacked the choice of clothing, asking whether she had researched what to wear before attending the race. Another commenter complained that she would never be as elegant as other sporting partners and called the outfit embarrassing, while a third remarked that she looked dressed for a late-night party rather than a Grand Prix.
Online backlash and support from Vini Jr
The online criticism echoed longstanding scrutiny directed at high-profile footballers' partners, often referred to in sporting culture as WAGs, an acronym for wives and girlfriends. The term emerged in the British press during the 2006 World Cup to describe the intense media and fashion interest surrounding the spouses and partners of elite athletes at major tournaments.
Following the negative comments regarding her Madrid Grand Prix outfit, Fonseca stayed away from social media for several hours. She later returned to Instagram to share photos from the race alongside her boyfriend, 28-year-old football star Vini Jr. The Brazilian forward, who plays in Madrid, publicly praised her in his own post about the sporting event.
