Balenciaga, a high-end fashion label, is involved in a scandal. They came under fire for advertisements showing children holding a teddy bear dressed as a bond girl.
High-end French fashion company Balenciaga. The Fashion House was established in Spain in 1919 by Cédric Charbit Balenciaga, a Spanish fashion designer.
Footwear, purses, ready-to-wear, and accessories are just a few of the many things that the business makes.
Balenciaga’s CEO is Cédric Charbit. In November 2016, the former Saint Laurent executive joined the opulent clothing company.
He is on the executive committee of Kering as well. Charbit is an ESC Toulouse Business School alumnus.
Cédric Charbit Balenciaga CEO Scandal And Controversy: Slammed Over Ads Featuring Kids
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Several images from the Balenciaga Spring 23 Campaign have drawn criticism on social media, landing the fashion label in hot water.
A little girl with blonde hair was shown in one image sporting a black T-shirt from the company. The focus was on a strap-connected white bear she was clutching rather than her clothing. The bear’s clothing had a choker that was padlocked around its neck.
Another image had a brunette female holding a purple plush animal while sporting similar BDSM attire.
The Hourglass handbag by Balenciaga was shown in another image. Papers were strewn all over the area next to the bag. According to the New York Post, one of those documents discussed virtual child pornography.
The images were taken by Gabriele Galimberti, a National Geographic photographer. The gifted photographer is well renowned for his Toy Stories-related projects and portfolios.
Online Shoppers Spotted The Ads And Were Infuriated
The advertising that featured young children was criticized by many as being disgusting and too sexualized.
The Twitter user claimed she believed users were trolling. She exploded, claiming that these kids were holding stuffed animals covered in bondage costumes and that she suspected Balenciaga had fled the stage because they might not want to be held responsible.
The fashion brand was the first to erase it when it did so at the start of November 2022.
Another user said that the company included a court document about virtual child porn that was purposefully poorly hidden.
A second disgruntled social media user wrote, “Ew, even if the rest is too “conspiracy theory” for the dimwits out there, WHY would you have a child holding a teddy bear with bondage gear on? So disgusting!”
No one on the staff, not even the photographers or managers, recognized how terrifying the additional person was.
Model Bella Hadid and actress Nicole Kidman have served as brand ambassadors. The actress shared several images promoting the brand’s Spring 23 Campaign while the model recently removed her Instagram post.
Balenciaga Apologised For The Offense
After receiving harsh criticism, Balenciaga issued an apology and took down all of the campaign-related images from all of their channels. After a few days, the apology was made.
In an Instagram story, the company made a statement. In the note, it is said that “we sincerely apologize for any offense our holiday (Spring 23) Campaign may have caused.”
The apologetic statement also stated that the plush bear bags shouldn’t have been associated with children in this Campaign. Two hours later, after customers brought attention to the contentious paper, the company issued a second apology.
After initially expressing regret for revealing troubling information, Balenciaga released a second statement. They declared that they took the matter seriously and that they will bring legal action against the set’s creators.
The company’s statement was finished by stating that they vehemently condemn child abuse in all its manifestations and support children’s safety and wellbeing.
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