Why are people mad at Balenciaga? Child ad photo controversy explained as cancel calls grow louder

Spanish luxury fashion brand Balenciaga has come under fire for their latest Spring/Summer 2023 collection that showed two kids posing with teddy bears wearing BDSM-style bond*ge gear.

Several photos from the campaign also showcased the two young children standing on beds, with one photo reportedly featuring court documents from a child s*xual abuse case.

oracle 𝟙𝟛🐺

@StormEllimac

Balanciaga’s homepage.

•child with a BDSM stuffed animal with PANDA EYES
•WHITE RABBIT on the bed
• that picture of the bag looks innocent right? — zoom in & it’s what appears to be court documents arguing about some type of s*xual misconduct and p*rnography… ???

Balanciaga’s homepage. •child with a BDSM stuffed animal with PANDA EYES •WHITE RABBIT on the bed• that picture of the bag looks innocent right? — zoom in & it’s what appears to be court documents arguing about some type of s*xual misconduct and p*rnography… ??? https://t.co/kvbZeqe3En

On November 22, Balenciaga took to its Instagram story to apologize to the public after facing severe backlash on social media for “messing with children.”

“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.”

Two hours later, the company issued another statement on its Instagram story, where they apologized 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.”

Even after they issued an apology, they have been feeling the public’s wrath, who are asking why the brand has not been canceled like Kanye West and Kyrie Irving, who have faced a career downfall with suspensions and severed business ties. The criticism has also included celebrities like Kim Kardashian for staying silent.

The campaign pictures have since been removed from the company’s website and social media.

Twitter reactions on Balenciaga’s problematic campaign

As mentioned above, the Spanish luxury brand was slammed online for its new campaign as people vowed not to forgive Balenciaga for their problematic presentation.

Even conservative commentators chimed in on the backlash, accusing the brand of hosting “groomers” and “s*xualizing children” while creating child p*rn.

Oli London

@OliLondonTV

Their kids campaign has dozens of sick references that are so obvious. So many dark symbolism. Truly unforgivable and criminal.

Balenciagas executives must be held accountable!

#balenciaga #BalenciagaGate #BalenciagaGroomers

BALENCIAGA should never be forgiven ever.Their kids campaign has dozens of sick references that are so obvious. So many dark symbolism. Truly unforgivable and criminal.Balenciagas executives must be held accountable!

BALENCIAGA should never be forgiven ever. Their kids campaign has dozens of sick references that are so obvious. So many dark symbolism. Truly unforgivable and criminal. Balenciagas executives must be held accountable! #balenciaga #BalenciagaGate #BalenciagaGroomers https://t.co/KJ7rTxsqcq

Dominique Samuels

@Dominiquetaegon

Here is some of the ‘artwork’ by Michael Borresmann advertised in Balenciaga’s new campaign.

Demonic.

The #BalenciagaGroomers scandal gets worse. They feature children modelling BDSM teddy bears, but now we discover disturbing portrayal of children throughout the campaign.Here is some of the ‘artwork’ by Michael Borresmann advertised in Balenciaga’s new campaign.Demonic.

The #BalenciagaGroomers scandal gets worse. They feature children modelling BDSM teddy bears, but now we discover disturbing portrayal of children throughout the campaign. Here is some of the ‘artwork’ by Michael Borresmann advertised in Balenciaga’s new campaign. Demonic. https://t.co/AVvVfyYzfK

Rachriot 🇺🇸✨

@HihuahuaRac

twitter.com/pope_head/stat…

Vade 𓁼

@pope_head

One of the pics from the Balenciaga child photos has Balenciaga spelled on tape spelled BAALenciaga

One of the pics from the Balenciaga child photos has Balenciaga spelled on tape spelled BAALenciaga https://t.co/74n3Dwwf7H

Not another dime to support these evil #BalenciagaGroomers 🤮 literally going to set my bag on fire

Not another dime to support these evil #BalenciagaGroomers 🤮 literally going to set my bag on fire 🔥 twitter.com/pope_head/stat…

Goddess Speaks

@TheeGoddessTv2

#BalenciagaGroomers

Yall should be tagging every celebrity you like asking about #BalenciagaGate #Balenciagapedos and every single one who doesn’t make a clear stance cancel them yall forget who holds the real power 1st #Kanye then #KyrieIrving now this its sick

Yall should be tagging every celebrity you like asking about #BalenciagaGate #BalenciagaGroomers #Balenciagapedos and every single one who doesn’t make a clear stance cancel them yall forget who holds the real power 1st #Kanye then #KyrieIrving now this its sick https://t.co/BQY8AWf03M

Grace

@mamamaisonbleu

#BalenciagaGroomers twitter.com/nicolearbour/s…

Nicole Arbour

@NicoleArbour

Cancel this brand for life.

This isn’t a “conspiracy” or an accident. This is gross. twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Guys, zoom in. It’s not just fetish gear, the teddy bear has two black eyes.Cancel this brand for life.This isn’t a “conspiracy” or an accident. This is gross. #Balenciaga

Guys, zoom in. It’s not just fetish gear, the teddy bear has two black eyes. Cancel this brand for life. This isn’t a “conspiracy” or an accident. This is gross. #Balenciaga twitter.com/i/web/status/1… https://t.co/hJh90mfrYN

I didn’t get the reference to panda eyes. Someone suggested I googled it and what I read made me sick! We are surrounded by Pedophilia and Groomers. #BoycottBalenciaga

I didn’t get the reference to panda eyes. Someone suggested I googled it and what I read made me sick! We are surrounded by Pedophilia and Groomers. #BoycottBalenciaga #BalenciagaGroomers twitter.com/nicolearbour/s…

Balenciaga’s campaign photographer was not in a position to command

Balenciaga’s Spring/Summer 2023 collection, shot by photographer Gabriele Galimberti, showed young children clothed in the brand’s kids line.

In a statement issued to CNN on November 23, Galimberti discussed the public backlash and stated that the campaign’s direction and shooting were not under his control.

“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 chose (sic) the products, nor the models, nor the combination of the same.”

As per the press release issued last week, the brand’s new campaign is an exploration of what people give and receive as gifts. The line showcased several new products, from homeware to limited-edition collectibles.

VibezoutQ

@VIBEZOUT

If you are still wearing them, you are part of them.

Balenciaga and the photographer involved called Gabriele Galimberti issued a statement following the disastrous shoot, and guess what, both are refusing to accept responsibility and blaming each other. 🙄If you are still wearing them, you are part of them. #CancelBalenciaga

Balenciaga and the photographer involved called Gabriele Galimberti issued a statement following the disastrous shoot, and guess what, both are refusing to accept responsibility and blaming each other. 🙄 If you are still wearing them, you are part of them. #CancelBalenciaga https://t.co/VEvuJ1dw9Z

In his statement, Galimberti stated that his job for the campaign was only to manage the lights on the set and take pictures in his signature style.

“As usual, the direction of the campaign and of the shooting are not on the hands of the photographer. I suspect that any person prone to paedophilia searches on the web and has unfortunately a too easy access to images completely different than mine, absolutely explicit in their awful content. Lynching like these are addressed against wrong targets, and distract from the real problem, and criminals.”

In the midst of facing backlash, the company has removed its Twitter handle and also wiped off its Instagram handle. But that hasn’t stopped people from accusing the brand of allegations of promoting child abuse and grooming young kids.

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Edited by Somava