There are a few relationships with brands that require ‘more evaluation’ before swift decisions are made. And there are others that receive the iron fist almost immediately. Balenciaga falls in the category of ‘let’s evaluate’ and Kim Kardashian is making her stance clear.
According to TMZ the influencer tuned broke her silence on the Balenciaga scandal — in which they featured children posing with BDSM-themed accessories.
The A-lister — who’s been tied to the fashion house for years now — issued a statement Sunday in response to the ongoing backlash against both Balenciaga themselves, but also over the fact that she’s remained silent thus far … with fans calling on her to speak out.
Kim says,
“I have been quiet for the past few days, not because I haven’t been shocked 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 adds,
“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 ends by saying,
“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.”
Now, she doesn’t say what exactly Balenciaga told her to explain this way — publicly, they’ve basically pleaded ignorance and blamed everything on the set designer and production co. heading the campaign … going so far as to sue both parties for $25 million this weekend.
Folks were furious that little girls would be made to pose in suggestive positions, alongside teddy bears rocking dominatrix-inspired leather outfits and other BDSM toys. Not just that, but court docs referencing a famous child porn case were snuck into the background too.
The photographer who shot it said he had no control over the set pieces and was simply following orders — and while Balenciaga has claimed to have had no knowledge of the items being staged the way they were, many have called BS … especially since this went live.
Despite a ton of outrage from normies — causing the ad to get yanked — most high-profile celebrities have stayed tight-lipped on it all, including ones who have close relationships with Balenciaga … with Kim being at the top of that list. Bella Hadid was also under fire.
Many thought this would cause stars to cut ties with Balenciaga en masse, but it doesn’t sound like Kim’s doing that.
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
and
You are still re-evaluating your relationship with them even though multiple references to child abuse and p*rn we’re featured on their homepage? Regardless of how this happened, it still did. And their head marketing and photography managers approved it.
— morgan (@itsmorganfr) November 28, 2022
and
There should be absolutely nothing to think about. You saying this really makes me question your standards. You do NOT need their money nor support. You should cut ties now.
— Val (@mamavalll) November 28, 2022
and
Just say it, you have no intension of leaving. You’re going to wait for them to do some half assed PR campaign, not really take accountability and then just wait for it to all blow over. You’re a bunch of hypocrites, stop pretending to care no one believes you anyway
— LaymenSterms (@Layman_Sterms) November 28, 2022
and
Translation: “I’m letting the world think I’ll possibly stop supporting balenciaga even tho I have no intention to. I’ll try to get them to do something that shows they care about kids to validate me staying to the public, even tho the decision has already been made that I stay”
— owlspaceship (@owlspaceship) November 28, 2022
