What Is Happening At Balenciaga? Controversial Ad Campaigns And Lawsuit

Luxury fashion house Balenciaga is facing severe backlash because of two recent ads, prompting brand ambassador Kim Kardashian to say she is "shaken" and reevaluating her relationship with the company.

One ad shows children holding bags shaped liked teddy bears dressed in bondage and fetish wear. The other ad features paperwork on child pornography laws.

On Monday Balenciaga said it's suing the advertising company it hired to produce the second ad campaign.

A firestorm started on social media over the ads, with many accusing the brand of promoting child exploitation. Balenciaga has seen multiple cultural controversies since appointing Demna Gvasalia creative director in 2015. Some of his tamer creations have included putting heals on Crocs and having Kardashian wear a dress of police caution tape.

The first campaign launched Nov. 16. It was called Balenciaga Gift Shop and photographed in October by Italian documentary photographer Gabriele Galimberti. Galimberti is best known for his work photographing children around the world with their toys. The New York Times reports this was his first fashion photo shoot.

The New York Times reports Galimberti said the bears, children and props used in the shoot were all chosen by Balenciaga. The bears first appeared in the brand's spring 2023 show in Paris.

On Nov. 21, Balenciaga released the 2023 Garde-Robe campaign. The Garde-Robe campaign was shot in July and featured big names such as Nicole Kidman and Bella Hadid. The photos for this campaign are mainly in an office setting and where the printed copies of the Supreme Court's child pornography decision in U.S. v. Williams are found.

On Nov. 24, Balenciaga apologized for the Balenciaga Gift Shop ad and said it would be removed from all social media platforms. A second apology about the Garde-Robe campaign was posted hours later. "We strongly condemn the abuse of children in any form. We stand for children's safety and well-being," the brand posted on its Instagram Stories.

Balenciaga appears to have deleted all its Instagram posts except for its third and most recent apology. "The two separate ad campaigns in question reflect a series of grievous errors for which Balenciaga takes full responsibility," the statement reads.

The apology also states the documents in the second ad were office props provided by a third party, not adequately vetted, and placed without the brand's knowledge. The apology says there is both an internal and external investigation.

Kardashian, a long-time ambassador of the fashion house, said in a series of tweets she is reevaluating her relationship with the brand. She said she appreciates the apology and removal of the campaigns." 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 wrote.