The designer breaks his silence regarding the backlash against the “Balenciaga Gift Shop” campaign, including photos of children holding teddy bears dressed in bondage. Balenciaga’s creative director Demna Gvasalia is finally speaking out.
Nearly two weeks following the immense backlash against the label for s.e.xualizing children in its “Balenciaga Gift Shop” campaign, the designer has taken to Instagram to issue an apology.
“I want to personally apologize for the wrong artistic choice of concept for the gifting campaign with the kids and I take my responsibility. It was inappropriate to have kids promote objects that had nothing to do with them,” Gvasalia, 41, wrote.
“As much as I would sometimes like to provoke a thought through my work, I would NEVER have an intention to do that with such an awful subject as child abuse that I condemn. Period,” he continued.
He ackowledged that he needs to “learn from this, listen and engage with child protection organizations” in order to “help on this terrible subject.”
“I apologize to anyone offended by the visuals and Balenciaga has guaranteed that adequate measures will be taken not only to avoid similar mistakes in the future but also to take accountability in protecting child welfare in every way we can,” he concluded.
Source: People
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Patrick Xavier Clark was taken into custody peacefully Thursday night, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said. Learn more
