Business mogul and reality star Kim Kardashian became the brand ambassador for the fashion house Balenciaga after its 2022 campaign ad caused major controversy.
On Monday, Kardashian, 43, released a statement announcing her partnership with the brand, via its official website.
“For several years now, Balenciaga’s designs have been a part of my many looks – and some of my most iconic fashion moments. This historic fashion house embraces modernity, craftsmanship (sic) and takes an innovative approach to design under Demna,” Kardashian wrote.
She added, “For me, this long-standing relationship is built on mutual trust and a commitment to doing what’s right. I’m excited about this next chapter for the brand and to become their ambassador.”
Kardashian co-starred in several campaigns, attended Balenciaga runway shows, walked the Balenciaga 51st Couture show, and accompanied the brand’s creative director Demma to the 2021 Met Gala wearing custom Balenciaga, via the website.
Balenciaga received backlash when the brand featured two children holding teddy bears dressed in bondage in the 2022 Spring campaign. They also had “virtual child porn” in the campaign, per Buzzfeed News.
Following the backlash, Balenciaga gave an apology via its Instagram story
“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,” Balenciaga officials wrote.
They also claimed that they would be taking legal action “against the parties responsible for creating the set and including unapproved items for our Spring 23 campaign photoshoot.”
They continued, “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.”
Balenciaga concluded their statement, adding, “We stand for children safety and well-being.”
In November 2022, Kardashian broke her silence concerning the photoshoot on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“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.
“As a mother of four,” Kardashian stated she was “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,” she added.
Kardashian also addressed what her future with the brand looked like.
“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 said.