Kim Kardashian ‘re-evaluating’ relationship with Balenciaga amid bear ad controversy

Kim Kardashian has taken to Twitter to break her silence on the ongoing controversy surrounding one of her favourite brands, and frequent collaborator, Balenciaga.

Balenciaga first landed in hot water last week when the brand dropped its latest campaign which featured children carrying the brand's 'plush bear bags’. The bears were wearing S&M style harnesses. The fashion house also released another advert for their ‘hourglass bag’ which showcased documents from the Supreme Court related to child pornography cases.

The label apologised via Instagram Stories for causing any offence with the adverts featuring young children holding the bags, saying: "We sincerely apologize for any offence 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."

Kim Kardashian had been quiet on the controversy with fans beginning to call out her silence as she is known for collaborating with the brand, and it has become a favourite of hers since she first began showcasing it. The Kardashian-Jenner clan are often associated with bringing the brand to mainstream media.

Kardashian broke her silence on November 27 and told her followers: "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,

"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,

She continued: "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."

Kim addressed her relationship with brand, and whether she would work with them again saying: "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 — and the actions I am expecting to see them take to protect children."

After the backlash erupted over the company’s new campaign, the brand has wiped it’s social feed completely with the official Balenciaga apology being the only content available to view via the the Highlights section.