Balenciaga scandal - Brand issues statement, drops lawsuit as creative director responds to backlash

As it happened - Luxury fashion brand Balenciaga embroiled in controversy over ads featuring children

Balenciaga under fire over 'creepy' ads of kids with 'bondage outfits'

The backlash surrounding Balenciaga’s recent ad campaigns involving children has remained strong as fans and celebrities continue to denounce the luxury brand.

The Spanish fashion house found itself embroiled in controversy over two ad campaigns - one with a child model holding a “BDSM teddy bear” and another featuring a Supreme Court decision on child pornography and a book about Belgian artist Michaël Borremans.

Addressing the fallout, Balenciaga “strongly condemned” child abuse and said it never intended to “include it in our narrative”.

Creative director Demna has also apologised for the brand’s “wrong artistic choice,” while president and CEO Cédric Charbit apologised “for the offense” the campaign caused.

The remarks did little to quell outrage, with many calling for a boycott of the luxury brand and for celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Nicole Kidman to cut ties.

Kardashian, a longtime brand ambassador, ultimately announced she would be “re-evaluating” the relationship, while her sister Kylie Jenner appeared to distance herself by dismissing speculation that she and her famous family were “covering up” for Balenciaga.

Key points

• Everything we know about the scandal so far
• Creative director Demna apologises for ‘wrong artistic choice’
• Balenciaga takes action against production company
• Kim Kardashian reevaluating relationship with brand
• Photographer distances himself from campaign

[3 December 2022 05:00 · Meredith Clark]

Kim Kardashian shared she is “re-evaluating” her relationship with Balenciaga. Since then, the Skims founder reportedly declined an offer to star in a new campaign for the brand amid the controversy.

According to TMZ, Kardashian allegedly turned down the offer, before issuing her public statement on Sunday.

The reality star has also reportedly made alternate clothing arrangements for upcoming events, after she was initially scheduled to appear in Balenciaga.

[3 December 2022 06:00 · Meredith Clark]

Kylie Jenner was accused of covering up for Balenciaga amid its recent ad scandal when she shared a rare glimpse of her nine-month-old son to Instagram.

Under her post, one person commented: “Using your son to take the attention away from the Balenciaga scandal… Classic Kylie.”

Jenner since shut down the comments when she responded, “Uh why would I post my child to cover up for Balenciaga? This is why I don’t do this. Always something to say.”

[3 December 2022 08:13 · Meredith Clark]

WATCH: Balenciaga fan destroys £2,300 worth of clothes over teddy bear ad

Former customers have denounced Balenciaga by destroying clothing and accessories.

Recently, a TikToker filmed herself cutting up a Balenciaga hoodie worth hundreds of dollars amid the brand’s ad controversy.

[3 December 2022 10:00 · Meredith Clark]

ICYMI: Balenciaga issues third statement on Instagram amid backlash to its recent ad campaigns.

On Friday (2 December), Balenciaga posted a new statement to Instagram apologising for “the offense caused” by its holiday ad campaign and spring 2023 photoshoot.

The brand said it will “not pursue litigation” against the production company in charge of the spring 2023 campaign in collaboration with Adidas and described the actions it will be taking “with the objective to learn from our mistakes as an organisation, including implementing new control instances, such as content validation and an image board.