Kim Kardashian spoke out on the Balenciaga controversy (Picture: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for LACMA)
Kim Kardashian is ‘re-evaluating’ her relationship with Balenciaga after being ‘disgusted’ by ‘disturbing’ images used during the fashion brand’s recent campaign.
Balenciaga faced widespread backlash after a recent campaign, which used photos of children posing with teddy bears in bondage.
Kardashian, who often works with Balenciaga, has now issued a statement on Twitter, saying that she expects the brand to take action to protect children.
‘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 said.
‘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.’
Kardashian added: ‘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.’
Balenciaga previously addressed the campaign, saying: ‘Our plush bear bags should not have been featured with children in this campaign. We have immediately removed the campaign from all platforms.’
In a later statement, the company apologised for the appearance of ‘unsettling documents’ in the photos, seemingly referring to documents from a Supreme Court case relating to child pornography laws.
Kardashian arriving at a Balenciaga show in Paris earlier this year (Picture: Marc Piasecki/Getty Images For Balenciaga)
Balenciaga said: ‘We apologize for displaying unsettling documents in our campaign.
‘We take this matter very seriously and are taking legal action against the parties responsible for creating the set and including unapproved items for our Spring 23 campaign photoshoot.
‘We strongly condemn abuse of children in any form. We stand for children safety and well-being.’
Kardashian has had a close relationship with Balenciaga over the years, and has attended various of the company’s fashion shows this year.
Most recently, she wore the brand to a Baby2Baby charity event earlier this month.
Metro.co.uk has contacted Kering, Balenciaga’s parent company, for comment.
MORE : Kourtney Kardashian says she wishes to breastfeed sister Khloe’s newborn baby
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‘As a mother of four, I have been shaken by the disturbing images.’
