The advertising campaign presented Balenciaga’s 2023 spring and summer collection that debuted this fall at Paris Fashion Week. The ad features pictures of children holding teddy bears while they appear to be dressed in S&M [sadomazochistiniais – red. past.] and in the clothes of slave roles. The photos also have an overarching ominous aura, noted on the Dailyhive.
Keen online observers also pointed out that one photo appeared to show an excerpt from a US Supreme Court case that upheld part of the federal child pornography law. More disturbing content alluding to the sexualization of children was also found in the photos.
According to Euronews, the ad, which was released earlier this week, was part of the brand’s new holiday gifting campaign. Photos taken by National Geographic photographer Gabriele Galimberti show children posing with the company’s plush bear bags-handbags. One photo shows the child on a bed with one of the teddy bears, surrounded by other purses and accessories, which appear to include a chain leash as well as a Balenciaga-branded dog collar.
“I thought people trolling, but no. This is real. Maybe this is why Balenciaga left Twitter? They don’t want to be responsible. Yes, it’s kids holding teddy bears dressed in bondage and sex clothing,” one Twitter user fumed.
The photographer spoke
The photographer who captured the controversial ad broke his silence on Wednesday morning. Gabriele Galimberti posted her statement on Instagram on Wednesday morning.
“After hundreds of hate mail and messages I received because of the photos I took for the Balenciaga campaign, I feel compelled to make this statement,” Galimberti wrote. “I cannot comment on Balenciaga’s choices, but I must emphasize that I had no right to choose either the products, the models, or the combinations themselves.”
The photographer explained that he was only allowed to light the prepared scene and capture it in his “personal style”, but noted that the direction of the campaign and the choice of featured objects were not up to him.
The company apologized
The New York Post reports that Balenciaga apologized for its new campaign on Tuesday. They claim to have removed the photos from their sources and stopped such advertising.
“We sincerely apologize for any offense our holiday campaign may have caused. Our teddy bear bags/handbags were not meant to be shown with children in this campaign. We have immediately removed the campaign from all platforms,” the company said in a statement posted on Instagram.
Why the silence?
Two of the world’s most famous women, reality star Kim Kardashian and model Bella Hadid, have come under fire for their silence. Both of these women have played a major role in Balenciaga’s advertising campaigns in the past and, as with many famous fashion houses, are closely linked. Why haven’t they said anything about this unusual ad campaign yet? Neither Dua Lipa, Naomi Campbell or Nicole Kidman, who participated in the Balenciaga show, said anything.
Celebrities who have children themselves receive a lot of condemnation for their silence on social networks. “You are mothers yourself – how can you be silent?” – this is the main idea of critics. It is not yet clear whether the stars will heed the calls and take a stand.
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Tags: Balenciaga breathe advertising children symbols brutal sex
