Fashion label Balenciaga has apologized for an ad campaign critics say sexualizes children.
The ads, which were posted on Instagram, show children with teddy bear bags outfitted in what appears to be bondage clothing. The photos of the children were criticized on social media as “creepy” and “disturbing”. The ads show young children holding teddy bears that are adorned with chains, fishnets and other gear.
Separately, online critics pointed to the appearance in another ad of a document hidden under a black bag, which appears to be from a court case involving child pornography. Balenciaga said he is taking legal action “against the parties responsible for creating the outfit and including items not approved for our Spring 23 campaign shoot.”
It added: “We strongly condemn the abuse of children in any form.”
Balenciaga
Balenciaga said it removed the ads from all of its platforms, saying its “teddy bear bags should not have been featured with children in this campaign.”
On Monday, Balenciaga issued another statement explaining that the teddy bear ads and the court ruling ad were the result of two separate ad campaigns. The designer has filed a lawsuit against North Six, the production company behind the ad with the court ruling.
The fashion house was also in the news recently after it cut ties with Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, according to news reports. That decision came after Ye made several offensive comments, including anti-Semitic posts that earned him suspensions from Twitter and Instagram.
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