Over the last week, the popular fashion brand Balenciaga has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. In a series of bizarre controversies, the brand came under fire for two of its problematic photo shoots.
Here’s a breakdown of everything we know about the infamous Balenciaga controversy
- The Outrage
Balenciaga’s latest ad campaign garnered much controversy surrounding the teddy bears modeled as BDSM and held by Children. One ad included a child model standing with a teddy bear that was wearing black leather and chains that many compared to BDSM apparel. The other, even stranger, included a pile of legal documents, one of which included the text of a Supreme Court decision related to child pornography.
Released within the last month, the campaigns caused an uproar that led the brand to pull both, sue the creative agency it hired to develop them, lose out on award and issue multiple statements.
- Balenciaga apologises
The photographer who was behind the photographs issued a statement. Gabriele Galimberti issued a statement on Instagram Wednesday morning after the inappropriate ad was pulled by the fashion house, “Following the hundreds of hate mails and messages I received as a result of the photos I took for the Balenciaga campaign, I feel compelled to make this statement,” Galimberti wrote.
“I am not in a position to comment [on] Balenciaga’s choices, but I must stress that I was not entitled in whatsoever manner to neither choose the products, nor the models, nor the combination of the same,” he continued.
He explained that he was permitted only to light the prepared scene and shoot in his “signature style,” but noted that the “direction of the campaign and the choice of the objects displayed” was not in his control.
“I suspect that any person prone to pedophilia searches on the web and has, unfortunately, a too easy access to images completely different than mine, absolutely explicit in their awful content,” Galimberti said. Galimberti claimed that the “lynching” he has received is aimed at the wrong party “and distract from the real problem, and criminals.” Balenciaga has since pulled the controversial ads and apologized for the disturbing photos.
A spokesperson for the luxury fashion brand told a leading daily, “We sincerely apologize for any offense our holiday campaign may have caused. Our plush bear bags should not have been featured with children in this campaign. We have immediately removed the campaign from all platforms.“
The company added in an Instagram Story, posted before Galimberti’s statement, “We apologize for displaying unsettling documents in our campaign. We take this matter very seriously and are taking legal action against the parties responsible for creating the set and including unapproved items for our spring ’23 campaign photoshoot. We strongly condemn abuse of children in any form. We stand for children safety and well-being.”
- ‘Re-evaluating relationship with brand’
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian, who has been a prominent name to associate with the brand, later issued a statement, saying she’s re-evaluating her relationship with fashion brand Balenciaga after it recently came under fire for a campaign. Balenciaga’s latest ad campaign garnered much controversy surrounding the teddy bears modeled as BDSM and held by Children.
“I have been quiet for the past few days, not because I haven’t been disgusted 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,” Kim explained in a statement.
Kim Kardashian stated that she is “currently re-evaluating my relationship with the brand, basing it off their willingness to accept accountability for something that should have never happened to begin with — & the actions I am expecting to see them take to protect children.”
“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,” Kim added.
- Calling out for silence
While Kim openly condemned Balenciaga’s outrageous campaigns, others didn’t raise a voice against the ongoing ruckus. Fans have now taken aim at those who have remained silent amid the fury. Supermodel Bella has worked with Balenciaga many times in the past, and previously posed for their collaboration with Adidas at the beginning of the month.
While those pictures are still visible on her Instagram profile, Page Six reports that she allegedly deleted an image related to another campaign from her page.
In the comments under many of her recent posts, fans pleaded with her to address the recent headlines, and remove the other posts relating to the brand. Many questioned her stance and said that her silence on the incident is ‘deafening’, while others voiced their disappointment. Bella is yet to share her thoughts on the matter.
- Controversy continues
But if you think that the billion-dollar company has been a thing of the past, well, think again! While the exact details of the two campaigns’ creation are unknown, there are three parties involved with both ads: Balenciaga, an agency called North Six and the two photographers, Chris Maggio and Gabriele Galimberti, who were hired by the fashion brand.
Later, on November 25, Balenciaga brought a $25 million lawsuit against North Six for being responsible for the spring ad featuring the Supreme Court documents, but not against the photographer, Chris Maggio. Balenciaga called the inclusion of the document in the ad “malevolent or, at the very least, extraordinarily reckless.”
Essentially, Balenciaga, North Six and the photographers all point to each other as the ones who carry the blame. Rania Sedhom, a lawyer who specializes in working with fashion brands, said the lawsuit is just as bizarre as the rest of this controversy.
“Balenciaga’s lawsuit against North Six begs several questions,” Sedhom said. “Who created the mood board for the photoshoot? Was a Balenciaga representative onsite during the photoshoot? How many Balenciaga employees approved the final ads?” It’s notable that Balenciaga has not brought any legal action regarding the teddy bear shoot, which did not involve North Six. It’s unclear if any creative agency was involved in that ad’s creation, and Balenciaga did not respond to request for comment. “Who will Balenciaga point to if a lawsuit ensues regarding that image?” Sedhom said.
We are yet to see the outcome of the said outrage and whether the cancel culture will come in handy to boycott Balenciaga. Kim distancing herself with the brand might have some weight, but it is still open to speculation whether Balenciaga will change its ways.
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