A Balenciaga retail store reportedly closed due to the pandemic in Melbourne, Australia in 2021. The brand has been criticized in recent weeks due to successive advertising scandals. .
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A Balenciaga retail store reportedly closed due to the pandemic in Melbourne, Australia in 2021. The brand has been criticized in recent weeks due to successive advertising scandals. .
Image of Asanka Ratnayake/Getty
Balenciaga, the luxury fashion brand that has caused controversy in two recent ad campaigns, has signaled plans to sue the North Six production company. for its role in the creation of one of the advertisements.
The backlash began when online scrutinizers noticed a page from the 2008 Supreme Court decision US sues Williams in the context of an ad that showcases a $3,000 wallet.
The ruling upheld the constitutionality of the child pornography verdict.
The ad, which has now been removed from the company’s website, is part of the fashion house’s spring 2023 collaboration with activewear brand Adidas.
Balenciaga followers might not have noticed the Supreme Court decision excerpt had it not been for the controversy earlier this month with another ad – one from the brand’s holiday collection.
That ad campaign also caused backlash because of it prominent images of children hugging plush bears wearing mesh tops and leather belts, surrounded by objects such as vases and necklaces.
The ad was shot by renowned documentary photographer Gabriele Galimberti, who shot in a similar style (albeit with less provocative subjects) for a series called “Toy Story”.
The ad was met with accusations that the fashion house condone the sexual abuse of children. Social media users and media commentators have described it as “creepy,” “ghost” and “aghast.”
Galimberti wrote in a statement that he did not supervise the products or models used for Balenciaga’s photo shoot.
“As is often the case for a commercial shoot, the direction of the campaign and the selection of subjects shown are not in the hands of the photographer,” he said.
He added that the hate messages sent to him “are addressed to the wrong targets and distract from the real problem as well as the criminals.”
Balenciaga apologized for both ads in two different statements last week and then again on Monday, first saying “the teddy bear bag and our Gift Collection should not be featured.” with children” and that all items used as props in the second promotional shoot “were provided by third parties who have confirmed in writing that these props are fake office materials masquerade.”
“It turned out that they were real legal papers, most likely from the filming of a TV series,” the company said, adding that it was investigating the case internally and seeking to cooperate with the agency. child abuse organizations.
“We want to learn from our mistakes and identify ways we can contribute. Balenciaga reiterates his sincere apology.”
On Friday, the brand issued a summons to the lawsuit against the production company, North Six, and the set designer, Nicholas Des Jardins, for their roles in the creation of the second ad.
The ad that sparked the lawsuit was part of Balenciaga’s Summer 2023 collection in partnership with activewear brand Adidas.
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The ad that sparked the lawsuit was part of Balenciaga’s Summer 2023 collection in partnership with activewear brand Adidas.
Screenshots/Balenciaga
Balenciaga said the North Six included documents into the campaign “without Balenciaga’s knowledge or permission,” according to the lawsuit. The company will claim $25 million in damages.
Neither Balenciaga nor a representative for Nicholas Des Jardins immediately responded to NPR’s request for comment. North Six responded to confirm it had received a summons, but said it had no comment on the allegations.
Balenciaga said that [North Six]actions and omissions that are inexplicably malicious or at least extremely reckless”.
“Because of [North Six]Following misconduct by the public, including the media, falsely and horribly linked Balenciaga to the objectionable and deeply disturbing subject of the court’s decision,” the document said. written by the court.
In an industry that has long been accused of disregarding morality and ethics, Balenciaga has long crossed the fine line between edgy and repulsive.
In 2021, the brand was criticized by fashion and history experts for sell a pair of sweatpants with shorts for $1,190 protruding from the waistband, a garment that critics consider usurped Black culture.
More recently, Balenciaga was criticized last month for being slow ending limited brand partnership with Kanye West after he made anti-Semitic comments.
Some recent products of the company yes Croc heels includedone A $2,000 tote bag that mimics corporate shopping paperand white cotton socks on sale for $130 a pair.
The brand is popular with celebrities like Kim Kardashian, who has been criticized for being slow to respond to teddy bear ads, especially from right-wing media figures.
She said on social media on Sunday that she is “re-evaluating” her role as ambassador with the fashion house.
“I appreciate Balenciaga’s removal of campaigns and apologies,” she wrote. “In speaking with them, I believe they understand the seriousness of the problem and will take the necessary measures so that this never happens again.”
I’ve been silent for the past few days, not because I don’t feel disgusted and indignant at Balenciaga’s recent campaigns, but because I wanted the opportunity to speak with their team to see for myself what this might mean. how could happen.
– Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) November 27, 2022
Other social media users are see the lawsuit as an attempt to place the blame elsewherethis only draws the public’s interest in viewing the ad in the meantime.
“No apology can ever be enough for what they’ve let happen,” a user wrote. “Cancel forever.”
