Kardashian condemns Balenciaga BDSM ad following lawsuit

The brand will "seek redress for extensive damages" caused by the campaign in a $25 million lawsuit.

The brand will "seek redress for extensive damages" caused by the campaign in a $25 million law suit.

Balenciaga has filed a USD $25 million lawsuit against the producers behind an ad campaign featuring “unsettling documents” that reportedly show an excerpt from a court ruling involving child pornography.

The French fashion house brought the suit on November 25 against production company North Six, Inc and set designer Nicholas Des Jardins and his eponymous company for the “malevolent” inclusion of court documents in an advertisement promoting Balenciaga’s collaboration with Adidas.

Balenciaga under fire over 'creepy' ads of children. Picture: Twitter/Balenciaga

Balenciaga is bringing the case “to seek redress for extensive damages defendants caused in connection with an advertising campaign Balenciaga hired them to produce,” the Manhattan Supreme Court summons detail.

The luxury fashion house claims that the court documents were featured without the brand's knowledge. “As a result of Defendants’ misconduct, members of the public, including the news media, have falsely and horrifically associated Balenciaga with the repulsive and deeply disturbing subject of the court decision,” the court papers say.

Balenciaga under fire over 'creepy' ads of children. Picture: Jam Press/Balenciaga

“Defendants are liable to Balenciaga for all harm resulting from this false association.”

On November 23, Balenciaga issued an Instagram statement addressing the “unapproved” documents featured in its Adidas campaign, noting that the brand would be “taking legal action against the parties responsible for creating the set.” 

“We strongly condemn abuse of children in any form. We stand for children’s safety and well-being,” Balenciaga published in a statement.

The brand also apologised for a holiday advertising campaign that featured children holding teddy bears that were clad in bondage-like gear, after the images generated outrage on social media. 

“We sincerely apologise for any offence our holiday campaign may have caused,” the brand wrote on its Instagram account. “Our plush bear bags should not have been featured with children,” it said, adding the ads have been removed from all platforms.”

Kim Kardashian walking for Balenciaga at Paris Couture Fashion Week 2022.

On Monday, Kim Kardashian, who regularly wears the designer clothes and recently walked in their Couture show, posted on social media addressing the “disturbing” holiday campaign. 

“I have been quiet for the past few days, not because I haven’t been shocked and outraged by the recent Balenciaga campaigns, but because I wanted an opportunity to speak to their team to understand how this could have happened,” she wrote.

“I have been shaken by those disturbing images. The safety of children must be held withe the highest regard and anything against it should have no place in our society.”

Kim, who made her runway debut with Balenciaga at their Spring 2023 show, wrote that she has spoken to the brand. “I believe they understand the seriousness of the issue and will take the necessary measures for this to never happen again,” she concluded.

“I have been shaken by those disturbing images," Kim Kardashian responds to Balenciaga campaign via Instagram Stories.