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(UPDATE: 11/28/22 AT 9:59 P.M. ET): Balenciaga has cleared its Instagram page and spoken out about its recent ad campaigns, one of which featured children holding teddy bears dressed in BDSM bondage. “We could like to address the controversies surrounding our recent ad campaigns,” a lengthy statement shared on its Instagram read on Monday, Nov. 28. “We strongly condemn child abuse; it was never our intent to include it in our narrative. The two separate ad campaigns in question reflect a series of grievous errors for which Balenciaga takes responsibility.”
(UPDATE: 11/27/22 AT 8:00 A.M.): Shortly after releasing her original statement, Kim shared a follow-up to clarify her current relationship status with Balenciaga. “As for my future with Balenciaga, I am re-evaluating my relationship with the brand, basing it off their willingness to accept accountability for something that should have never happened to begin with — and the actions I am expecting to see them take to protect children.”
(ORIGINAL STORY): Kim Kardashian took to Twitter to break her silence about the viral Balenciaga scandal on Nov. 27. In her first statement about the matter, Kim explained why she took so long to publicly say anything about the brand’s controversial campaign, which featured children posing with BDSM-inspired items. “I have been quiet for the past few days, not because I haven’t been disgusted by the recent Balenciaga campaigns, but because I wanted an opportunity to speak to their team to understand for myself how this could have happened,” Kim wrote.
I have been quiet for the past few days, not because I haven’t been disgusted and outraged by the recent Balenciaga campaigns, but because I wanted an opportunity to speak to their team to understand for myself how this could have happened.
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) November 27, 2022
Over the last few years, Kim has formed a close relationship with Balenciaga. She walked in the brand’s fashion show in Paris back in July and has worn their clothing on a number of occasions. Her statement continued, “As a mother of four, I have been shaken by the disturbing images. The safety of children must be held with the highest regard and any attempts to normalize child abuse should have no place in our society – period. I appreciate Balenciaga’s removal of the campaign and apology. In speaking with them, I believe they understand the seriousness of the issue and will take the necessary measures for this to never happen again.”
Because of Kim’s close ties to Balenciaga, fans have been urging her to make a statement about this scandal for days. Based on her message, she does not appear to be cutting ties with Balenciaga, despite the controversy.
In addition to the disturbing images of children with the bondage-inspired teddy bears, the Balenciaga campaign also featured court documents from a child pornography case in the background of the images. The photographer who shot the campaign spoke out about the scandal on Instagram, writing, “I must stress that i was not entitled in [any] manner to neither choose the products, nor the models, nor the combination of the same. As a photographer, I was only and solely requested to lit the given scene and take shots according to my signature style.”
Balenciaga has pulled the ad amidst backlash. “We sincerely apologize for any offense our holiday campaign may have caused,” the fashion house said in a statement. “Our plush bear bags should have not been featured with children in this campaign. We immediately removed the campaign from all platforms.”