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Balenciaga store in London: An "image board" is to monitor content in the future
Photo:
Ed Reeve / IMAGO
The creative director and CEO of French fashion house Balenciaga have apologized for the company's controversial advertising.
Two photo productions had caused sharp criticism in the past few weeks because they had inappropriate references to child abuse.
"I would like to personally apologize for the wrong artistic choice for the concept for the children's gift campaign," Creative Director Demna Gvasalia, aka Demna, shared in an Instagram message.
The label also released a statement signed by CEO Cedric Charbit detailing new internal processes, such as appointing an "image board" to evaluate content.
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian, the brand's figurehead, previously announced she was reconsidering her ties with the label.
But no complaint about the documents
In one campaign last month, the label promoted a gift collection and featured a handbag in the shape of a stuffed teddy bear with tie straps being held by children.
A second, separate campaign for the Spring 2023 collection featured papers with the text of a 2008 judgment on child pornography.
Earlier this week, Balenciaga apologized and said investigations into the advertising campaigns were still ongoing.
The papers with the text of the law on child pornography came from an external service provider, but the company was taking legal action, it said.
A lawsuit worth millions was pending.
However, Friday's statement quoted Balenciaga boss Charbit as saying the label had decided not to pursue the lawsuit any further.
He wanted to apologize personally and take responsibility.
Apr/Reuters
