Balenciaga ad controversy: Bizarre ad campaigns upset many

Kid with teddy bear bag dressed in bondage. - (Photo: Balenciaga)

What is going on with Balenciaga? 
The brand has received a lot of backlash and protesters sending loud and clear messages at the Balenciaga store in Beverly Hills over the luxury fashion brand's ad campaign that shows kids holding teddy bear bags dressed in bondage.

Balenciaga, for those who don't know the brand, think about the preposterous $650 Simpsons t-shirt or the dirty tattered beat up old shoes that retail for nearly two grand.  Well now, the high-end luxury brand has hit a new low.

On their recent campaign featuring children posing with BDSM teddy bears, yeah that's bondage, leave many people wondering what was Balenciaga thinking when they came up with those ideas.

(Photo: Balenciaga)

(Photo: Balenciaga)

These are the images that have upset so many people.  Young children holding teddy bears dressed in bondage costumes.

(Photo: Balenciaga)

And if that's not offensive enough, it wasn't just the teddy bears in bondage.  Balenciaga  has also come under Fire for its spring 2023 campaign where one of their bags was placed near a Supreme Court document from 2008 about child pornography laws.

The brand did issue an apology about its latest ad seeing it strongly condemns abuse in children in any form and that it'll take action against those who created the set.

Balenciaga issued a long statement on Instagram that says in part:

"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."

In an attempt to skirt accountability, Balenciaga has actually filed a $25 million lawsuit against the production company North Six as well as the set designer.

Now, Balenciaga brand ambassador Kim Kardashian says she's re-evaluating a relationship with Balenciaga adding she was shaken by the disturbing images.

The campaign has been pulled but the questions remain, should Kim K and other celebrities be more careful with their endorsements?

Everyone on the internet seems to agree that both campaigns are very bizarre and protesters says, it is exploitation of children and anyone who buys from Balenciaga is agreeing with that.

People around the world really aren't happy and have even been burning their Balenciaga items.