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Balenciaga is addressing the criticism of its campaigns.
The luxury brand – which has come under fire for its holiday ad featuring children wearing teddy bears on a leash – deleted all of its photos on Instagram and posted a single photo with a caption explains his actions.
“We strongly oppose child abuse; it is not our intention to include it in our communications,” the statement read. “The two separate campaigns in question show a series of serious mistakes for which Balenciaga is responsible.”
Balenciaga went on to talk about their first “gift collection” project, which they said included children and “bears dressed in what some would call BDSM clothing.” The brand said the items were “not shown to children.”
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“This was a wrong choice by Balenciaga, combined with our failure to assess and validate the images,” the statement said. “The responsibility for this lies solely with Balenciaga.”
The photographer Gabriele Galimberti, also released a statement on Instagram, saying in part that “he does not have the right not to choose. [sic] products, and models, and combinations thereof.”
Galimberti added, “As a photographer, I am only asked to illuminate the given space and take photos according to my signature style.”
The brand discussed a second controversial project for spring 2023, with a photo and a page from the Supreme Court decision. United States v. William behind. That ruling ruled that promoting child pornography was illegal and not protected under freedom of speech.
Balenciaga said it believed everything in the shoot was a fake document and had received written confirmation from a third party to this effect, but said the documents were “real legal documents” pay. The company offered $25 million to investment firm North Six, Inc., and developer Nicholas Des Jardins, for the New York Post.
Representatives for North Six, Inc., and Des Jardins did not immediately respond to IWI’s requests for comment.
“We are responsible for the lack of supervision and control of the documents behind, and we could have done something different,” Balenciaga said.
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It was indicated that internal and external audits are being carried out at the company, and this time it will strengthen its structures related to innovation and validation. The company said it needs new powers to “make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
In addition to changing internal policies, the company said it will set up “the program” with organizations that focus on child protection and aim to end child abuse and exploitation.
“We want to learn from our mistakes and identify ways we can contribute,” Balenciaga said.
The brand ended its statement with another apology to its “family and friends.”
One of those friends is Kim Kardashian, who spoke out on Tuesday criticizing the company for its teddy bear campaign.
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“As a mother of four, I have shaken by disturbing images“The safety of children must be taken seriously, and attempts to reform child abuse in any way have no place in our society – period.”
“It’s me Appreciate Balenciaga’s removal of the campaign and apology. Speaking to them, I believe they understand the gravity of the issue and are taking the necessary steps to prevent this from happening again,” said Kardashian.
He added that he would “reevaluate my relationship with the brand.”
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