Reality star expresses shock over campaign images and demands accountability from fashion house.
Kim Kardashian has announced she is “re-evaluating” her relationship with luxury fashion brand Balenciaga following widespread backlash over a controversial ad campaign. The reality TV star, 42, voiced her shock, stating she was “shaken by the disturbing images” used in the recent campaign, which depicted young children holding teddy bears dressed in bondage-style attire.
The campaign, which quickly gained attention online, was removed by Balenciaga, and the company issued an apology through its Instagram account, addressing the offence caused by the images. The ads featured children clutching stuffed animals dressed in leather and netted clothing, surrounded by other unsettling props. In one of the photos, a document from the US Supreme Court was also visible, further contributing to the controversy.
Kardashian revealed that she had remained silent since the campaign's release, not due to lack of outrage, but because she wanted to engage with the brand to better understand how such an incident occurred. In a statement shared online, she wrote, “As a mother of four, I have been shaken by the disturbing images. The safety of children must always come first, and attempts to normalise child abuse in any form have no place in society."
She continued, praising Balenciaga for removing the campaign and offering an apology, but emphasised that the fashion house must take significant action to ensure such a situation never happens again. “I appreciate Balenciaga’s apology and their recognition of the seriousness of this issue," Kardashian said. "I am re-evaluating my relationship with the brand, based on their willingness to take accountability and the actions they will take moving forward to protect children.”
Kardashian has previously had close ties with Balenciaga, walking her first Paris couture show with the brand, a moment she described as a “dream come true.” The scandal comes after reports that Balenciaga had severed its relationship with Kanye West, following his controversial antisemitic remarks.
In response to the backlash, Balenciaga released a statement condemning child abuse and taking responsibility for the errors in the campaigns. The brand also revealed it had filed a complaint against third parties who provided legal documents that were used as props, unknowingly included in the images.
“Balenciaga strongly condemns child abuse. It was never our intention to include such content in our narrative,” the statement read. “We are revising our creative processes and working with child protection organisations to prevent this from happening again.”
The company concluded by extending sincere apologies to its partners, talents, and the public for the distress caused.
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