Bears repeating!
Also, let’s stick closely to topic, it really helps preventing tangents and drama.
Also, let’s stick closely to topic, it really helps preventing tangents and drama.
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What do y'all think about the Balenciaga SS23 & Adidas collab "teddy" controversy?
- Thread starter MooMooVT
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Thanks for the clarification!
this still included a BDSM bear - the child just isn’t holding it. There’s also bondage tape and a balaclava. Bal isn’t doing themselves any favors if they think this pic is better.
This is accurate. Usually the set is arranged prior to the photographer and models arriving (unless the photographer is the stylist). Folks are working on hourly rates or a set amount of time and production companies try to control the budget by ensuring no one charges for extra time. No photographer is flicking through every piece of paper nor vetting every stacked-up art book.
It is the brand's job to 1) set standards with the production company and 2) check the final result.
It is JMHO, but Galimberti is famous for his series of children all over the world with their own actual toys and it seems that a creative director with zero sense of what is appropriate came up with the idea to have him shoot the bear campaign. (This is a very common and overused, lazy trope in fashion - get an art photographer or photojournalist to recreate something they are known for.)
How it then devolved into that creative product....couldn't tell you but I don't know any creative or brand exec who would have signed off on those images.
On other problematic ads...it would be OT to go into a list but there have definitely been many other ad campaigns that go over my personal lines, sometimes way way over and sometimes yes with children. I take note when I see them and generally don't buy the product any more.
Thanks for this. I’ll add that while the photographer didn’t choose the set decoration, I have to cast a side-eye at anyone who participated in these shoots without raising a red flag (and perhaps some did raise concerns on deaf ears). I don’t hold them as accountable as Bal, but all involved need to take a deep look into their moral compass.
IMO, this is not art, it's commerce posing as art.
Art often proves controversial but this campaign was for publicity and sales. It didn't need the children at all. It would have actually been far more effective without one/any.
Marketing have think about the messages they're putting out, nothing subliminal or vague about these images. They're just awful, lazy and desperate. I absolutely hate that it even got passed at the brain-storming stage.
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I really fail to understand how these images can be described as playful. To me they are not. I have no reason to convince you otherwise. You are within your rights to carry on with your fondness for the brand.
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Thank you for sharing. I am really intrigued and curious about the deconstructionist philosophy. If you have time and if you are willing I would love to hear how the deconstructionist philosophy is expressed in the theme of children and sexualization. I am not attacking your thought process. I am genuinely interested in understanding. How is Balenciaga as a brand generating a message through its branding strategy that aligns with deconstructionist or maybe the idea of challenging a metanarrative, which aligns with a postmodernist view? Thank you =)
I agree 100%. This awful campaign is a result of too many jackasses trying to be edgy and making decisions with their egos.
The updated photo is just as bad and anyone involved in this should be ashamed of themselves.
I don't own any Balenciaga but I've been wanting a city bag for a while...I guess prices will drop now,so it's a good time to buy 
I have to admit that I thought the whole thing was exaggerated at the beginning,but the documents in the pictures and the whole story about their designer's Instagram with disturbing images of children are creeping me out far more than the original pictures.
I have to admit that I thought the whole thing was exaggerated at the beginning,but the documents in the pictures and the whole story about their designer's Instagram with disturbing images of children are creeping me out far more than the original pictures.
I think people are missing the point. If you studied cults and groups that embrace pedophilia, you will understand that symbolism is HUGE for them. They understand each other's language. This is not about a simple picture. This is about cultic symbolism that promotes pedophilia. It's right in front of us to see. But some are not educated in "symbology" so they just see a teddy bear wearing edgy clothes and a child holding the teddy bear. We have to look at the message behind the brand holistically and also put the pieces of the puzzle together regarding the themes being their campaigns. If you start looking into Lotta Volkova, who is one of their stylists, you will see the message in each picture. We are asleep and we need to wake up.
Ditto. We, the consumer, hold the power to stop buying. No one needs any designer item. They are disgusting. The idiots in Hollywood DGAF if it affects their endorsement money, and we already know lots of them were on Jeff's Island so there's that.......I don't own any Balenciaga but I've been wanting a city bag for a while...I guess prices will drop now,so it's a good time to buy
I have to admit that I thought the whole thing was exaggerated at the beginning,but the documents in the pictures and the whole story about their designer's Instagram with disturbing images of children are creeping me out far more than the original pictures.
I just ran into the scandal while I happened to be looking for a new Balenciaga baseball cap online in white due to me wanting another. I had been slumming in my black Balenciaga baseball cap post Thanksgiving being exhausted with all the Thanksgiving preparation/hosting of the preceding week, not knowing about all the controversy. I have been rocking Balenciaga bags, shoes, sunglasses etc since 2007. I am in my late 40s, so I have sold many of my older bags trying to be a little more classic, less rock and roll edgy, so only have 2 older bags left a Velo and a City. I did buy a newer bag, a Cagole, last year, falling in love with the beautiful green color. I rocked a Balanciaga cap, sunglasses, and a bag while on vacation this year. So, this all saddens me. I don’t really follow their campaigns etc. I am honestly appalled at the whole controversy, and it saddens me that now I don’t feel like I can support the brand and wear my items in good conscience. I feel bad for not knowing, and think people who knew about the scandal were probably judging me wearing the cap this weekend. Again, just found out about this morning. Although as a normal person, I don’t think the pictures were that bad, they scream out desperation... for attention, trying too hard to be bold and edgy, to cause a stir, desperate and not classy. The symbolism and exploitation of children, child endangerment, in the campaign disgusts me. The use of bondage on teddy bears seems desperate and trying too hard. The use of children to stir up the controversy seems desperate and distasteful.The symbolism is disgusting and in poor taste. I honestly think they were so desperate for attention, to stir up controversy, and the whole thing backfired on them. I find it hard to believe that this campaign made it this far without them pulling it down and find it even more ridiculous they are not taking responsibility and suing the ad campaign…. bs they didn’t know, bs that they released the photos and bs they won’t take responsibility. I think the whole thing backfired on them; they didn’t see the backlash, the ramifications. I am sad that I spent so much money on them, but no longer feel comfortable wearing and supporting the gear/brand in good conscience. I feel people will judge me. This makes me recall a Dolce and Gabbana boycott.
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Whether you believe this to be a publicity stunt, the photographer’s concept, Demna “trolling”, or something more sinister(!!!!).. whatever you want to argue, there is no justifying what happened. It is disturbing and vile. End of discussion! Like others have mentioned - just how many people at Balenciaga reviewed this campaign/the photos and gave this the OK?? This is a huge $$$ company. Absolutely sickening. Plus Balenciaga’s initial apology did not sit right me with - trying to shift blame to the photographer etc? And now they’ve taken full responsibility and issued an updated second apology? … yeah, ok. They will not get my forgiveness or my business again.
My Balenciaga RTW collection is pretty substantial. I wore at least one piece from
the brand weekly and had done so for the last few years. Everything is now on its way to TRR and donating what wasn’t accepted. This is not being “cancelled”, actions have consequences.
Anyone I see wearing or carrying Balenciaga now.. just won’t sit right with me. I’ll simply be wondering if they’re OK with a company that tried to monetize/normalize pedophilia… As for Kim K tiptoeing around the issue “re-evaluating her relationship” with Balenciaga- we already know the K family has no morals but even for Kim, this is a new low and speaks volumes.
My Balenciaga RTW collection is pretty substantial. I wore at least one piece from
the brand weekly and had done so for the last few years. Everything is now on its way to TRR and donating what wasn’t accepted. This is not being “cancelled”, actions have consequences.
Anyone I see wearing or carrying Balenciaga now.. just won’t sit right with me. I’ll simply be wondering if they’re OK with a company that tried to monetize/normalize pedophilia… As for Kim K tiptoeing around the issue “re-evaluating her relationship” with Balenciaga- we already know the K family has no morals but even for Kim, this is a new low and speaks volumes.
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