As reported by Breitbart News, one "ad campaign featured content suggesting child abuse and pornography."
The spring 2023 ad, which has since been canceled following major backlash from the public, featured French actress Isabelle Huppert. The ad included a book by Belgian artist Michael Borremans, who creates paintings that often depict children, including some who have been castrated.
The outlet noted further:
Balenciaga has been under fire in recent weeks for other ads many argue were “normalizing child pornography” as they showed children holding teddy bears wearing BDSM outfits. These ads also include a portion of a U.S. Supreme Court case citing another case making virtual child pornography protected speech.
The picture that included Borremans’ book was taken down from the fashion house’s website after coming under fire for the “BDSM teddy bear” images.
Some major U.S. figures have also come under fire for their continued association with Balenciaga, including billionaire reality TV personality Kim Kardashian, who was blasted for it by former Fox News star Megyn Kelly on her SiriusXM podcast on Tuesday. And according to reports, the ad campaign also featured known pedophiles.
“The Megyn Kelly Show” host said Kardashian shares blame for the company's shameful ads because even after finding out about them, she has refused to fully distance herself from the brand that she has heavily promoted in the past.
“She’s a disgusting, shameful billionaire because the money is worth more than her morals and the protection of these children to her,” Kelly said.
Kelly then pivoted to the Balenciaga photo shoot for some of the ads featuring little girls holding bears in bondage outfits, alleging that the ad campaign promotes the “sexualization of children” and is “titillating to pedophiles.”
Kardashian said in response to the criticism that she was “re-evaluating” her association, but as of this writing, she has yet to formally cut her ties with the company.
“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,” the reality star said in a statement posted online.
“As a mother of four, I have been shaken by the disturbing images. The safety of children must be held with the highest regard and any attempts to normalize child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society — period,” she added.
As a mother of four, I have been shaken by the disturbing images. The safety of children must be held with the highest regard and any attempts to normalize child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society — period.
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) November 27, 2022
“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,” Kardasian noted.
“As for my future with Balenciaga, I am 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,” she said.
As for my future with Balenciaga, I am 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.
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) November 28, 2022
Sources include:
Please contact us for more information.
