Kim Kardashian has finally spoken up about Balenciaga’s controversial holiday campaign. The French fashion house came under fire after it included images of children carrying teddy bears in bondage. “The Kardashians” star has denounced the brand for its child abuse stunt and is reconsidering her relationship with the company.
Kim Is Shaken By Disturbing Images…
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 of any kind should have no place in our society — period.
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) November 27, 2022
There was a massive outcry on social media regarding Kim Kardashian’s silence on Balenciaga’s controversial campaign. The star, who frequently collaborates with the French fashion house, has finally spoken up, stating that she is shaken by the disturbing images, featuring children posing with teddy bears in bondage.
“As a mother of four, I have been shaken by the disturbing images,” she said in a series of tweets. “The safety of children must be held with the highest regard and any attempts to normalize child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society — period.”
She further narrated that she has been quiet, 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,” she explained in her tweet.
As for my future with Balenciaga, I am currently 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 — & the actions I am expecting to see them take to protect children.
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) November 28, 2022
However, “The Kardashians” star revealed that she is currently re-evaluating her 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.”
In the end, Kim also appreciated the French fashion house for the removal of the campaigns and their 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,” she added.
For days, fans have been flooding Kim’s Instagram comments, urging her to address the controversial ads. “Nobody wants to buy anything from you. Speak up and stand for something,” one angry fan commented on her post that promoted a sale on her skincare line.
“Please speak up about Balenciaga. You cannot avoid it being that you have been such a big supporter of them,” one fan pleaded. “When are you going to respond Kim?! Your reputation is on the line here,” another wrote. “You are a mom. Don’t let it slide,” another poked the mother of four, who is known for her frequent collabs with the company.
What Did Balenciaga Do?
the brand "Balenciaga" just did a uh….. interesting… photoshoot for their new products recently which included a very purposely poorly hidden court document about 'virtual child porn'
normal stuff pic.twitter.com/zjMN5WhZ0s
— shoe (@shoe0nhead) November 21, 2022
The luxury French fashion house came under fire after its recent controversial holiday campaign. Through its document featuring a Supreme Court case involving child pornography and featuring child models holding bears dressed in fetishwear, the company has garnered massive backlash from celebrities and other brands.
In case you missed it, Balenciaga also featured ‘easter eggs’ which the internet has called out for relating to or denoting child pornography. YouTuber June Nicole Lapine was amongst the first to call the campaign out, “very purposely poorly hidden court document about ‘virtual child porn'”.
However, after the holiday shoot went viral, the company issues a statement apologizing for the campaign, stating: “Our plush bear bags should not have been featured with children in this campaign. We have immediately removed the campaign from all platforms.” In addition to this, Balenciaga also issued another statement, apologising for “displaying unsettling documents, claiming to be “taking legal action against the parties responsible for creating the set and including unapproved items” for their campaign.
The brand announced, “We apologize for displaying unsettling documents in our campaign. We take this matter very seriously and are taking legal action against the parties responsible for creating the set and including unapproved items for our Spring 23 campaign photoshoot.”
We strongly condemn the abuse of children in any form. We stand for children’s safety and well-being,” the brand concluded. As for Kim K., I am not very sure if she’d leave this brand, because well, money matters. And yea, her concluding statement hints that she has already forgiven the brand. What do you think about this controversy?
