Balenciaga’s BDSM bears for children are causing controversy and causing some Internet users to jump. Has the brand gone too far?
In recent years, Balenciaga has accustomed us to bringing out original and quirky, not to say ugly, bags, shoes and clothes at particularly high prices. Last Friday, the French brand went off the beaten track by presenting “The Gift Shop”. This new collection is made up of household and decorative objects.
A new home collection
There is a dog bowl, a “purse vase”, or even rolls of adhesive tape. Their common point: cost a fortune and still have that little Balenciaga touch. Count 250 € for a roll of adhesive tape and 6,000 € for the bag-vase.
BDSM teddies
But has the brand gone too far this time? Indeed, among the objects of this new collection, there are also teddy bears with chains and harnesses from the BDSM universe (“bondage, discipline, domination, submission, sado-masochism”). Balenciaga notably had children pose with these stuffed animals.
Did Balengiaca over-sexualize children?
The brand was quickly accused by Internet users of hypersexualizing children. “Yes, these are children who are holding teddy bears dressed in BDSM fashion”, denounces a surfer.
Faced with criticism, Balenciaga spoke this Tuesday, December 22. The brand halted the campaign and apologized. “Our teddy bear bags should never have been staged with children in this campaign (…) We condemn the abuse of children and we defend their safety and well-being. “, indicated Demna Gvasalia, the artistic director of Balenciaga.
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