Kim Kardashian was slammed Sunday evening over a statement that she released about the recent Balenciaga campaign in which the company was widely accused of sexualizing young children.
The brand, which celebrities like Kardashian often wear, displayed images on its website last week as part of its “Toy Stories” campaign. The photos showed child models posing with the brand’s teddy bear handbags, with the bears dressed in BDSM-themed gear from its Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2023 collection.
“We sincerely apologize for any offense our holiday campaign may have caused,” the company posted in an Instagram story. “Our plush bear bags should not have been featured with children in this campaign. We have immediately removed the campaign from all platforms.”
Balenciaga debuted the handbag line last October at the runway show in Paris, where models walked the catwalk with bruised faces and bloody noses carrying the teddy bears.
“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,” Kardashian said in a statement. “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.”
“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,” Kardashian continued. “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.”
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 Kardashian (@KimKardashian) November 27, 2022
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
Kardashian faced intense criticism, including from the popular Twitter account Gays Against Groomers, over her statement because she left the door open to continuing her work with the company.
“Kim you don’t need the money from them. The red line has been crossed and as a mother of four and decent human being, you know that,” the Gays Against Groomers Twitter account said. “There is no grey area here. Do the right thing and end your relationship with them, otherwise this whole statement is a wash.”
Kim you don’t need the money from them. The red line has been crossed and as a mother of four and decent human being, you know that. There is no grey area here. Do the right thing and end your relationship with them, otherwise this whole statement is a wash.
— Gays Against Groomers (@againstgrmrs) November 28, 2022
“Cut ties completely or you’re full of s***, Kim,” transgender activist Blaire White tweeted. “You are very obviously kicking the ball down the road so you can continue your business relationship with them once this blows over. It’s not difficult to draw the line at child porn, and your inability to do so is telling.”
Political commentator Mike Cernovich tweeted, “Surprised she didn’t claim they are innocent like she’s done in those death row cases.”
Brandon Drey contributed to this report.