Balenciaga apologises for bondage-themed campaign featuring a child, as Bella Hadid quickly deletes promotional posts

The fashion house may have apologised over their controversial campaign, but the fall-out from it is likely to rumble on…
Marina Licht
By Marina Licht
23rd Nov 2022, 5:02pm

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Bella Hadid arriving at a Balenciaga dinner in Paris before the fallout began from the campaign. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)Bella Hadid arriving at a Balenciaga dinner in Paris before the fallout began from the campaign. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)
Bella Hadid arriving at a Balenciaga dinner in Paris before the fallout began from the campaign. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)

The fallout from the Balenciaga bondage themed campaign is likely to be cataclysmic.

The brand released a photoshoot campaign featuring a child holding a teddy bear dressed in a BDSM outfit. Naturally, the reaction has been one of horror.

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Balenciaga has been quick to apologise for the campaign but it seems one celebrity known for her style has already begun to distance herself from the brand.

The fashion house released a statement which read: “WE sincerely apologize for any offense our holiday campaign may have caused. Our plush bear bags should not have been featured with children in this campaign. We have immediately removed the campaign from all platforms.”

Balenciaga then went on to say that “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.”

Nicole Kidman also attended the same Balenciaga dinner in Paris as Bella Hadid. She was accompanied by husband Keith Urban. (Photo by Jacopo M. Raule/Getty Images For Balenciaga)Nicole Kidman also attended the same Balenciaga dinner in Paris as Bella Hadid. She was accompanied by husband Keith Urban. (Photo by Jacopo M. Raule/Getty Images For Balenciaga)
Nicole Kidman also attended the same Balenciaga dinner in Paris as Bella Hadid. She was accompanied by husband Keith Urban. (Photo by Jacopo M. Raule/Getty Images For Balenciaga)

Bella Hadid appears to have been the first celebrity to take to Instagram to delete photographs from a campaign she did for the fashion house. However, it will be interesting to see what other celebrities will do who have connections with the brand.

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Only two days ago, Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman shared photographs of herself modelling for Balenciaga’s Spring 23 campaign.

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She has already been associated with the brand this year when she wore a silver dress on their runway during Paris fashion week.

Although fans were initially quick to praise Nicole two days ago, the comments have naturally become more negative in the last 24 hours. It will be interesting to see how long her post remains up.

Kim Kardashian wore Balenciaga to the LACMA Art +Film Gala. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)Kim Kardashian wore Balenciaga to the LACMA Art +Film Gala. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Kim Kardashian wore Balenciaga to the LACMA Art +Film Gala. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Another high-profile star who is professionally linked to the brand is Kim Kardashian who hasn’t been vocal on the latest Balenciaga situation as yet.

She was only seen leaving her office in the last day wearing Balenciaga X Adidas and is known for being the brand’s most famous models and one of their biggest supporters.

One thing for sure is that this is an evolving story and is likely to change rapidly.

Related topics:Kim KardashianCelebritiesInstagram