Fashion label Balenciaga has apologized for a photo shoot featuring a boy holding a teddy bear dressed in BDSM attire that outraged hundreds online.
Balenciaga, a world-renowned Spanish fashion house that dresses Kim Kardashian and Nicole Kidman, seemed to blame Italian photographer Gabriele Galimberti.
Perhaps even stranger, a Twitter user discovered that one of the photos from the session contained an excerpt from the 2008 US Supreme Court opinion in United States v. Williams, which upheld part of a federal child pornography law, which Twitter’s own fact-checkers confirmed.
The ruling found that offering or requesting to transfer, sell, deliver, or trade in child pornography did not violate the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, even if a person charged under the code did not in fact possess child pornography in which to deal. The late Justice Antonin Scalia specifically noted that offers to engage in illegal transactions are categorically excluded from First Amendment protection.
Balenciaga issued a statement on Tuesday apologizing for the photo shoot and apparently suggesting that they would take legal action against Galimberti and anyone else involved.
The statement reads: ‘We sincerely apologize for any offense our Christmas campaign may have caused. Our teddy bear bags should not have been featured with children in this campaign. We have immediately removed the campaign from all platforms.
‘We apologize for showing disturbing 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 items not approved for our Spring 23 campaign photo shoot. We strongly condemn child abuse in any form. We stand for the safety and well-being of children.’
Balenciaga, a world-renowned Spanish fashion house that dresses Kim Kardashian and Nicole Kidman, among others, seems to blame photographer Gabriele Galimberti.
Fashion label Balenciaga is apologizing for what many believe is a photo shoot amounting to child pornography, featuring a boy holding a teddy bear dressed in a BDSM outfit.
The tether-clad teddy bears are actually handbags that graced the runway earlier this year.
Balenciaga issued a statement on Tuesday apologizing for the photo shoot and apparently suggesting that they would take legal action against Galimberti and anyone else involved.
Perhaps even stranger, a Twitter user discovered an Easter egg at the session, with one of the photos containing an excerpt from the US Supreme Court opinion in United States v. Williams, who upheld part of a federal child pornography law, which Twitter itself confirmed fact-checkers
Photographer Galimberti promoted the images as part of a series of projects he called “Toy Stories,” in an apparent reference to the Disney/Pixar film series, according to the Daily Dot.
He writes about the project on his website: “For more than two years, I visited more than 50 countries and created colorful images of boys and girls in their homes and neighborhoods with their most precious possessions: their toys.”
“From Texas to India, from Malawi to China, Iceland, Morocco and Fiji, I have recorded the spontaneous and natural joy that unites children despite their diverse backgrounds. Whether the child owns a veritable fleet of miniature cars or a single stuffed monkey, their pride is heartwarming, fun and inspiring.’
Galimberti has been featured in National Geographic, The Sunday Times, Stern, Geo, Le Monde, La Repubblica and Marie Claire, according to her website.
His work has also been exhibited in museums in England and Switzerland.
Galimberti does not appear to have addressed the controversy, though Instagram commenters have flooded some of his photos, harshly criticizing the photo sets as child pornography.
Balenciaga previously had two images of toddlers snuggling up with the luxury bags on his website that now appear to have been deleted.
The first photo on the online store shows a redheaded boy standing on a plush pink bed while holding a white furry bag by its leather strap.
In addition to having spiky leather bracelets around the bear’s arms and legs, the teddy is dressed in a short mesh top with a chain and padlock around its neck.
The gift shop section of the website features another image of a boy standing on a sofa and holding a purple furry toy bag.
Italian photographer Galimberti promoted the images as part of a series of projects he called “Toy Stories,” in an apparent reference to the Disney/Pixar film series.
Outraged parents called the images ‘creepy and incorrect’ on social media
Along with a leather S&M outfit, the teddy is also wearing what looks like a black lace thong.
In the background of the image, a blue toy bag has been placed on a side table and is wrapped in more studded leather bands.
Although the bags are not yet available to buy on their website, the images were created to promote the items in their gift range, which include reusable coffee mugs and a dog harness.
Unsurprisingly, the campaign images have caused a stir among parents on social media, calling them “creepy” and “uncomfortable.”
“It’s scary how many adults must have been involved in this,” mused one Twitter user. ‘Parents, photographers, creative directors, copywriters, design agency staff, producers, managers, advertisers…and none of them thought, ‘Wait a minute?”
Parents were shocked that the photo shoot got the go-ahead, with some labeling the images “awkward.”
Mumsnet users were outraged by the images and accused the brand of trying to ‘shock’ people.
Another raged: “Jesus, that’s creepy and wrong.”
On Mumsnet, parents took issue with the “highly inappropriate” photo shoot.
One wrote: ‘B****y typical of Balenciaga. They are surprised by drawing attention to expensive junk. It’s like a social experiment on how ridiculous the products are, but people buy the crap.
‘However, this is disgusting and borders on depraved. I can’t understand what made this child’s parents think this is normal.
“That’s a very uncomfortable picture,” added another.
Conservative commentator Candace Owens called on Kim Kardashian and her sister Khloe to condemn the photo shoots.
Owens tweeted: It was great to see @KimKardashian use her platform to condemn antisemitism. Let’s see if she uses that same platform to condemn the blatant child pornography documents promoted in #Balenciaga ads, since she is one of the faces of the brand. @khloekardashian — you too!’
Most recently, on Monday, Kardashian was seen wearing Balenciaga as she left her office in Los Angeles after a photo shoot.
The 42-year-old reality star was seen wearing Balenciaga and Adidas, two of the designers who dropped West, 45, after his recent anti-Semitic rants.
Kim wore a top from the two designers’ collaboration, a long-sleeved black shirt with white stripes down the sleeve and brand names placed on the center chest.
Most recently, on Monday, Kardashian was seen wearing Balenciaga as she left her office in Los Angeles after a photo shoot.
Making a statement? Kim wore a top from the two designers’ recent collaboration, a long-sleeved black shirt with white stripes down the sleeve and brand names placed on the center chest.
Kim flaunted her toned legs as she stepped out of the car in black flip-flops. She also appeared to be wearing black Balenciaga sunglasses.
Her hair hung to her chest in loose, wispy waves and her natural beauty was enhanced by a layer of lip gloss that touched up her appearance.
Kim also appeared to be criticizing her ex on Instagram on Monday.
She once again wore a Balenciaga x Adidas top along with a pair of black Balenciaga boots. “Hello,” she captioned the snapshot.
