Image Credit: Stefanie Keenan via Getty Images 
Kim Kardashian has finally responded to the Balenciaga scandal, saying she is “re-evaluating” her relationship with the fashion brand after it attracted outrage for featuring bondage themes in a photo-shoot involving children.
As we previously highlighted, despite news outlets declaring the issue to be a “conspiracy theory,” the fashion label was forced to apologize for a fashion shoot which sexualized kids.
Images to promote Balenciaga’s Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2023 collection showed young girls holding plush bear bags adorned with bondage gear.
The bears are seen wearing padlocks, fishnets, leather harnesses, as well as ankle and wrist restraints.
I thought people were trolling, but nope. It’s real. Maybe this is why Balenciaga left Twitter. They don’t want to be held accountable. Yes, these are children holding teddy bears dressed in bondage outfits. pic.twitter.com/zBlACUiZjo
— Sav! (@thisissavvy1) November 21, 2022
After nearly a week of trying to ignore the outrage, Kim Kardashian, who is a brand ambassador for Balenciaga, has finally addressed the scandal.
“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,” she tweeted.
“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.”
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
“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.”
“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 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
Balenciaga has launched a $25 million dollar lawsuit against the set designer of the photoshoot, Nicholas Des Jardins, although critics have suggested this is a deliberate attempt to hide Balenciaga’s own culpability.
The photographer who took the pictures, Gabriele Galimberti said that Balenciaga was to blame for including the offensive items in the set up, and that he was a scapegoat.
Despite Kardashian addressing the issue, critics suggested that she was just “testing the water” to see if she could get away with continuing her lucrative relationship with the brand after the controversy blows over.
You're testing the waters to see if you can get away with STILL working with a company who APPROVED a disturbing campaign that sexualized children.
It's not worth it, choose morals over money.
— Brittany Venti ♡⋆˙⊹ (@BrittanyVenti) November 28, 2022
Drop them or this disavowal is meaningless.
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) November 28, 2022
Cut ties completely or you're full of shit, Kim.
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.
— BLAIRE WHITE (@MsBlaireWhite) November 28, 2022
Kardashian made the statement after Kanye West spoke with her about the issue, telling Kim about the wider problem with child grooming within the fashion and entertainment industries.
As we previously highlighted, long before the Balenciaga scandal, Ye was warning about “subliminal” messages in media that were harmful to children.
Apparently #Balenciaga just released the photoshoot for their new products which included a very purposely poorly hidden court document about “virtual child porn” (https://t.co/KrLU2s6LQE).
This cannot be accepted, they’re not even hiding it anymore. Stop grooming out children. pic.twitter.com/MBRRUofk5P
— vane ☻ (@callmevaneg) November 21, 2022
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