Balenciaga’s creative designer has apologized for a recent fashion campaign criticized by Kim Kardashian.
Images for the campaign showed two young girls holding stuffed teddy bears, dressed in bondage clothing while surrounded by a selection of other items.
Demna Gvasalia issued a statement on Instagram about the ads on Friday, which sparked a huge backlash online, including from the 42-year-old reality star, who said she was “shaken by the disturbing images”.
Kardashian later said she “reevaluated my relationship” with the brand after the incident.
In the online message, Demna wrote: “I would like to personally apologize for the wrong artistic choice of concept for the gift campaign with the children and accept my responsibility.
“It was inappropriate to have children promote objects that had nothing to do with them.
“As much as I would like at times to be thought-provoking through my work, I would NEVER intend to do so on a subject as horrific as child abuse, which I condemn. Period.”
The Georgian fashion designer added that he will work with child protection organizations to learn how to “contribute and help on this terrible issue”.
“My apologies to anyone who may be offended by the images and Balenciaga has guaranteed that reasonable action will be taken not only to avoid similar mistakes in the future, but also to take responsibility for protecting the best interests of the child in any way possible.” “, he wrote.
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In her previous post, Kardashian said she’s been silent in the days since the campaign first went online because she wanted to speak to the brand to “understand for myself how this could have happened.”
“I’ve been calm for the past few days, not because I wasn’t disgusted and outraged by Balenciaga’s recent campaigns, but because I wanted the opportunity to speak to their team to understand for myself how this could have happened,” he said she wrote on the internet.
“As a mother of four, I was shocked by the disturbing images.
“Child safety must be given the highest priority and any attempts to normalize child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society — period.
“I appreciate Balenciaga’s campaign removal and apologies.
“By talking to them, I believe they understand the seriousness of the issue and will take the necessary actions to ensure this never happens again.”