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  • Balenciaga is under fire for an ad of kids holding teddy bears in harnesses. Here's a complete timeline of the controversy.

Balenciaga is under fire for an ad of kids holding teddy bears in harnesses. Here's a complete timeline of the controversy.

Samantha GrindellNov 30, 2022, 00:53 IST

Balenciaga came under fire after releasing a controversial holiday campaign.Victor VIRGILE / Contributor / Getty Images

  • Social-media users have accused Balenciaga of sexualizing children in a holiday ad.
  • The ad featured children holding teddy bear purses that were seemingly wearing bondage.
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Balenciaga made a name for itself with its avant-garde fashion.

Kim Kardashian wearing Balenciaga at the 2021 Met Gala.Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Balenciaga shared its 2022 "Gift Collection" holiday campaign on social media on November 16. It was immediately met with backlash.

A Balenciaga storefront in Beverly Hills, California.AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
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Balenciaga pulled the advertisements and issued an apology for the "Gift Collection" campaign on November 22.

Balenciaga's first apology was shared on November 22.Balenciaga/Instagram

Social-media users then uncovered documents related to a Supreme Court ruling on child sexual abuse images in a Balenciaga ad for its spring 2023 line.

A Balenciaga storefront.Gabriel Olsen/Stringer/Getty Images
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Another photo from Balenciaga's spring 2023 collection garnered attention because it included a book by a controversial artist.

"Michaël Borremans: Fire from the Sun" by Michael Bracewell.Amazon

The brand issued a second apology for the spring 2023 campaign just hours after its first statement was shared on Instagram.

Balenciaga's second apology.Balenciaga/Instagram
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Galimberti released a statement about the "Gift Collection" campaign on November 23, pointing blame to Balenciaga.

Galimberti released a statement on November 23.Gabriele Galimberti/Instagram

Galimberti told Insider he has received thousands of hate messages and death threats as a result of the campaign.

"The Ameriguns" by Gabriele Galimberti.RAYMOND ROIG / Contributor / Getty Images
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Balenciaga filed a $25 million lawsuit against the production company and set designer for the spring 2023 ad on November 25.

A pair of Balenciaga shoes.Matthew Sperzel/Getty Images

Kim Kardashian said she was "disgusted" by Balenciaga's ads and that she was "re-evaluating" her relationship with the brand on November 27.

Kim Kardashian in New York City on September 9, 2022.Gotham/GC Images
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Balenciaga released a lengthy statement regarding the controversy on November 28.

Balenciaga released a statement on Monday.Balenciaga/Instagram

Balenciaga has made headlines in the past over accusations of cultural appropriation, a lawsuit for copyright infringement, and for cutting ties with Ye.

Ye previously had a close relationship with Balenciaga.Getty Images
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