Balenciaga’s Controversial Teddy Bear Shoot Backlash: Everything to Know

usmagazine.com:

Balenciaga is at the center of controversy following the release of a concerning campaign. While the luxury fashion house has since pulled the ad, consumers have been left troubled by the interpreted messaging.In images released in support of the label’s spring 2023 collection, young children are seen posing with stuffed animals that are dressed in BDSM-style attire.

Additionally, there are wine and beer glasses present alongside a kid in one shot.The visual was quickly met with criticism, with social media users expressing their disappointment via Twitter. “Balenciaga is very much cancelled in my eyes, I don’t care what explanation they come up with.

Don’t mess with children,” read one tweet.A different critic expressed: “When Balenciaga hires you to shoot their new look book & you show up to find a toddler laid across a sofa with wine glasses & bondage gear arranged around them, you walk away.

Period.” A third tweet read: “Wait, shouldn’t Balenciaga have their bank accounts closed, get banned on social media, stores temporarily shut down, and all celebrities condemn them first?”Others pointed out that some ads allegedly even featured “very purposely poorly hidden court documents about ‘virtual child porn.'”Balenciaga officially removed the campaign on Tuesday, November 22, and issued an apology. “We sincerely apologize for any offense our holiday campaign may have caused,” read the statement, per CNN. “Our plush bear bags should not have been featured with children in this campaign.