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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Lifestyle
Oliver O'Connell and Peony Hirwani

Balenciaga scandal - update: Fashion brand issues apology after furious reaction to ad campaigns

Getty Images
Balenciaga under fire over 'creepy' ads of kids with 'bondage outfits'

Balenciaga has issued a statement “strongly condemning” child abuse while addressing the fallout over its controversial ad campaigns involving children.

On Monday, the fashion house shared a new statement on Instagram in which it said it “would like to address the controversies surrounding our recent ad campaigns”.

Balenciaga has faced widespread backlash over two recent ad campaigns involving children. One of the ads, the designer’s gift collection campaign, featured children posing with the brand’s teddy bear purses, which critics pointed out appear to be wearing BDSM and bondage-inspired accessories.

The second ad under scrutiny is Balenciaga’s Spring 2023 campaign, for its use of a printout of a Supreme Court decision on child pornography.

In the post, the designer brand wrote: “We strongly condemn child abuse; it was never our intent to include it in our narrative.

“The two separate ad campaigns in question reflect a series of grievous errors for which Balenciaga takes responsibility.”

Stay tuned for the latest updates.

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