Rabat – Following the worldwide outrage provoked by the latest campaigns from Spanish fashion house Balenciaga, celebrities are joining in on condemning the luxury band for depicting children with adult-themed accessories.

Earlier this month, Balenciaga released adverts for its Spring/Summer 2023 collection that includes children holding teddy bears dressed in bondage-style outfits. 

The campaign outraged millions worldwide, as people took to social media to condemn the fashion brand for “sexualizing children.”

Internet users have equally called on celebrities to cut ties with the brand, most notably American model Gigi Hadid, and Kim Kardashian who is currently Balenciaga’s ambassador. 

Both celebrities were notably silent at the onset of the scandal while Hadid deleted posts related to Balenciaga from her Instagram account last week.

Kardashian broke her silence on Sunday, saying in a post on Twitter that she wanted to take her time to reach out to the brand and understands how something of the sort could have happened.

“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.”

In the same thread, the Skims founder continued: “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.”

While the celebrity denounced the disturbing depiction of children in the campaign, she did not directly accuse the fashion house, explaining that they “understand the seriousness of the issue and will take the necessary measures for this never to happen again.”

The reality show star also said in the same statement that she “appreciates Balenciaga’s removal of the campaigns and apology.” 

As Kardashian tweeted she is “re-evaluating” her relationship with the brand, and “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.”

 

The brand has indeed issued a public apology for the campaign and retracted the advertisement from its social media platforms, and said it will take legal actions against parties involved in the making of the disturbing images. 

However, British media reports indicate that the fashion house is not taking legal action against the Italian photographer Gabriele Galimberti who shot the pictures but instead is choosing to sue the makers of another controversial campaign. 

Other celebrities with no ties to the brand also joined in condemning the brand with American football star Cooper Kupp tweeting: “To try to be a voice for our children, who rely on the protection of the men and women that were entrusted the responsibility of nurturing them and raising them up: please make yourself aware of the attack against our young ones by @balenciaga, and ensure that they are held responsible for it.”

He added: “For those of us in positions to create change in the way that companies manipulate people and advertise evil, please stand up!”