Twitter Is Serving Balenciaga With A Platter Full Of Hate For Ad Featuring Kids With Bondage Teddy Bear
Why so problematic, Balenciaga?
Luxury brand Balenciaga is always making it to news headlines, thanks to its problematic approach towards fashion. From muddy runway collections to lays-inspired luxury bags, Balenciaga has successfully enjoyed the buzz around its latest set of designs. And taking it a notch higher, and making it dirtier, Balenciaga’s brand new advertisement is all parts problematic. For its newest collection, the brand scouted for a bunch of child models for a photoshoot.
As spotted on the website, two young girls were seen posing with unusual teddy bear designs. What makes these toys a problematic pick for kids is the look that it serves. In one of the two pictures, a teddy bear with two-coloured eyes is seen wearing a fishnet top, teamed with punk rock jewellery, and leather belts. The second toy also features a similar leather gear, teamed with a polka bow.
Besides the pictures, what caught an eagle-eyed Twitter user’s attention was a poorly hidden document, resting on the desk, featuring an excerpt from US laws on child pornography. As soon as the pictures hit the official Instagram handle, and website of the brand, tweeple thrashed the brand for them. While some users called out Balenciaga for allowing this ad concept to run through their official social media handles, some others termed it “distasteful.”
Check out some of these reactions.
the brand "Balenciaga" just did a uh….. interesting… photoshoot for their new products recently which included a very purposely poorly hidden court document about 'virtual child porn'
normal stuff pic.twitter.com/zjMN5WhZ0s
— shoe 💜 (@shoe0nhead) November 21, 2022
Someone else has pointed out that other products have been photographed on top of court documents related to pornography involving children https://t.co/EjJJcFQU2H
— Ahrianna Jones 🦕 (@AhriTrader) November 21, 2022
The looks on these girl's faces are also deliberate choice of the picture editor too. Very unsettling.
— The Lies They Tell (@sarahstuartxx) November 20, 2022
Frightening how many adults must have been involved in this… parents, photographers, creative directors, copy writers, web designers, design agency staff, producers, managers, advertisers… and not one of them thought 'hang on a minute'?
— Nick Perry (@NickAnPerry) November 21, 2022
https://twitter.com/Scotthican/status/1594257291167297536?s=20&t=_u9GALGSZTK4vBg9ls0HNQ
Jesus that's just creepy and wrong.
— Chris Wade (@dodsonandfogg) November 20, 2022
Also Read: Balenciaga Says Goodbye To Twitter After Elon Musk’s Controversial Takeover
Some other users also redirected our attention towards the clear display of wine glasses on the table.
Also a candle on the floor, wine glasses, all in a child’s room? This whole thing is f*cked up.
— 🇺🇸Leaveourkidsalone!🇺🇸 (@WIMom2554) November 21, 2022
A few Twitter users also lashed out at the parents of these child models, photographers, and art directors behind the shoot, who gave this concept a green light. And we agree!
Well, Balenciaga has always been in trouble for its controversial ad campaigns, and relationship with problematic celebrities like–Kanye West. The brand was recently in news for quitting Twitter, a few days after Elon Musk’s takeover of the microblogging site.
Image Credits: Instagram
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