Chloe Hennessey films herself cutting up designer clothes in response to backlash over children's teddy bear photoshoot scandal.
Chloe Hennessey, a 27-year-old aesthetics practitioner from East London, has destroyed nearly £2,300 worth of Balenciaga merchandise in protest of the brand’s controversial ad campaign involving children holding teddy bears dressed in bondage-style accessories.
In a video she shared online, Hennessey filmed herself cutting up a Balenciaga hoodie valued at £600, along with a T-shirt, sunglasses, and a pair of trainers, bringing the total value of the discarded items to approximately £1,700.
Hennessey’s decision to part with her luxury clothes came after the Spanish fashion brand faced widespread backlash over two advertising campaigns. One of the ads featured children clutching teddy bear purses adorned with BDSM-inspired items, while another displayed disturbing Supreme Court documents related to child sex images. Balenciaga quickly removed the ads and apologised for the inappropriate content.
The fashion house has also taken legal action against the production company North Six, which helped create the campaigns.
Hennessey’s protest was sparked after she posted a video on TikTok wearing a pair of Balenciaga glasses worth £705. Following negative comments, she researched the brand’s controversy and was disgusted by what she found. She then made the decision to purge her wardrobe of all Balenciaga items and vowed to never support the brand again.
The 27-year-old has joined a growing movement of social media users and influencers who have condemned Balenciaga for its involvement in what many view as the sexualisation of children.
“I’ve always loved Balenciaga and it used to be my favourite brand,” Hennessey explained. “But after seeing what had happened, I couldn’t in good conscience continue to support them. It’s not about the money, it’s about making a stand.”
Chloe added that she considered donating her clothes but ultimately decided against it, fearing that someone else would wear them and promote the brand.
Although the action was financially painful for her, she feels it was an important gesture. “I’m not rich, but taking a stand is far more important,” Hennessey said.
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