The high-end fashion label Balenciaga has apologized for its controversial holiday ad campaign that portrayed children holding fetish-adorned purses and teddy bears, as thousands of people urged to #cancelBalenciaga on TikTok and Twitter. The purpose of the Gift Shop campaign, which was captured by renowned photographer Gabriele Galimberti and inspired by Galimberti’s own “toy narrative” photographic series, was to make a statement about the giving and receiving of gifts. Online commenters, however, were enraged by the depiction of young children holding bears while donning bondage-style attire, such as fishnets, cuffs, and harnesses.
Kim Kardashian, one of Balenciaga’s most outspoken supporters, has also expressed her disapproval of the company
“We sincerely apologize for any offense our Holiday campaign may have caused,” Balenciaga said in a statement. “Our plush bear bags should not have been featured with children in this campaign. We have immediately removed the campaign from all platforms.”
Kim Kardashian, one of Balenciaga’s most outspoken supporters, has also expressed her disapproval of the company, saying she was “shocked and outraged.”
“I have been quiet for the past few days, not because I haven’t been shocked 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 wrote in an Instagram story. “As a mother of four, I have been shaken by those disturbing images. The safety of children must be held with the highest regard and anything against it should have no place in our society,” she added.
“I appreciate Balenciaga’s removal of the campaigns and 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.”
On TikTok alone, the hashtag #cancelbalenciaga has garnered over 105k views
On TikTok alone, the hashtag #cancelbalenciaga has garnered over 105k views, the majority of which are attributable to video creators who outlined why the holiday campaign is so reprehensible.
Whether it was the setting of the editorial-style promo or the brand’s creative casting, Balenciaga has recently established a reputation for its outlandish fashion campaigns. Their store designs, runway presentations, and even the product range they offer are all examples of this method, which they have employed to great effect thus far. Balenciaga has reportedly been one of the top 5 trendiest fashion labels in the world for four years, according to fashion aggregator and trend forecaster Lyst. They have lifted the brand to a coveted position never before attained with their unique approach to fashion.
But it was inevitable that this Gift Shop ad would arouse the wrong kind of fury; anything that even vaguely implies sexualizing youngsters.
A new line of giftable products, including Champagne glasses, pet bowls with jewels, and teddy bears, was introduced ahead of the Christmas season. A campaign to support it was launched earlier this month. Balenciaga commissioned photojournalist Gabriel Galimberti to capture the advertisement in order to “iterate on the artist’s series ‘Toy Stories,’ an investigation of what people acquire and receive as gifts.”