Reality Star Kim Kardashian has spoken out about Balenciaga’s recent photoshoot that sparked backlash.
On Sunday, Kardashian shared her thoughts on Twitter and the reasoning behind her silence.
“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,” she wrote.
Continuing, she wrote, “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.”
The 42-year-old, who has collaborated with Balenciaga numerous times, said that she appreciates “Balenciaga’s removal of the campaigns and apology.”
“I believe they understand the seriousness of the issue and will take the necessary measures for this to never happen again,” she added about the luxury fashion house, which featured children cuddling teddy bears dressed in bondage gear in its latest advertising campaign.
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 Kardashian (@KimKardashian) November 27, 2022
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.
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) November 27, 2022
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
Kardashian also spoke about her future with the fashion brand.
“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 revealed.
In a recent campaign for their Spring collection, Balenciaga showcased two children holding teddy bears dressed in bondage and also added court documents that had “virtual child porn” in it, per Buzzfeed News.
After the backlash, the company issued an apology on their Instagram story on Tuesday.
“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,” they wrote.
They also claimed that they will be taking legal action “against the parties responsible for creating the set and including unapproved items for our Spring 23 campaign photoshoot.”
“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,” they shared.
However, many users on Twitter were not buying their apology.
“Balenciaga isn’t apologizing for what they did. Balenciaga is apologizing because they got caught. Don’t confuse the two,” one user wrote.
Another user shared their thoughts on the apology writing, “if balenciaga took this matter so seriously they never would’ve published that campaign or come up with the concept in the first place.”
