Kim Kardashian talks about the Balenciaga controversy. Image Source: AceShowbiz
Kim Kardashian talks about the Balenciaga controversy.
During an appearance on Angie Martinez’s IRL podcast, Kim Kardashian gets candid about navigating through the backlash she received during the Balenciaga controversy, which was followed by their holiday campaign that featured kids holding teddy bears dressed in couture.
Kim Kardashian, addressing the backlash, said that with the Balenciaga thing, everyone kept asking her why she wasn’t speaking out, and she said that she was not in the campaign, which is why she had no idea what was happening and noted that she needed a minute to research it before she spoke about it. The beauty mogul mentioned further that as soon as she saw what everyone was seeing on social media and understood the reality of the situation, she completely spoke out and gave her thoughts.
The SKIMS founder mentioned that she said what she considered to be right and that she wasn't able to be more evident on the sickening and distressing ad, and that individuals were angry since she didn't say "fuck you" to Balenciaga, noting that individuals would be outraged if she chooses to speak and that they would be angry if she doesn't talk and that she didn't cancel. It was challenging for the reality star to deal with that situation, understanding that no matter what she did, she wouldn't ever win with the general populace.
Kim went on to say that no person would like to be a part of a narrative, however, they are, and she has to accept responsibility and say it out loud since people are looking at her as the face of the company, so she has to voice out, noting that she always tries so hard to do the right thing.
On November 16th, Balenciaga released a campaign featuring pictures of kids carrying the brand's "plush bear bags" while made to wear bizarre sexual harnesses, and individuals on social media were quick to point it out, accusing the brand of objectifying children in the ad. Within one week of the campaign's launch, its photographer, Gabriele Galimberti, issued a statement asserting that he had no right to decide on the products, models, or combos of the same. Later, it was revealed that Balenciaga would not take legal action against the photographer.
Balenciaga later stated on November 24 that they apologize profusely for any wrongdoing caused by their holiday advertisement. According to the brand's declaration, the plush bear bags shouldn't have been pictured with children in this advertisement, and the advertising has been eliminated from all platforms. The high-end fashion house articulated this in a lengthy follow-up declaration four days later, saying that the label takes full responsibility for its series of unfortunate errors with the campaign and that it would enforce "touch regulations" to prevent it from happening again. The company also asserted that it was attempting to contact "organizations that specialise in child welfare and aim to end child exploitation and abuse.
The Balenciaga designer Demna, took to his social media to accept his fault and wrote that he would personally like to apologize for the wrong artistic choice of concept for the gifting campaign with the kids and he takes responsibility. He added that it was inappropriate to have kids promote objects that have nothing to do with them and mentioned that he needs to learn from this, listen and engage with child protection organizations to know how he can contribute and help on this terrible subject. The designer lastly added that as much as he would sometimes like to provoke thought through his work, he would NEVER have the intention to do that with such an awful subject as child abuse that he condemns. Period.
At the time, the mother of four tweeted that she hadn't said anything clearly and openly because she wanted to communicate with their team to comprehend how this might have happened. She went on to say that the horrific images had shaken her and that every attempt to rationalize child sexual abuse of any sort should have no place in society—period. During the interview, Kim stated that she takes criticism of her family and other people's comments in stride. Kim Kardashian, who explained herself as a peaceful person both mentally and emotionally, stated that she takes everything with stride adding that she is like a machine; like half robot, she remarked lightheartedly.
