What do y'all think about the Balenciaga SS23 & Adidas collab "teddy" controversy?

What's your take in the Balenciaga teddy bear controversay?

  • It's harmless

    Votes: 23 3.2%

  • It's disgusting

    Votes: 554 76.7%

  • It's just to garner attention - Balenciaga being Balenciaga

    Votes: 94 13.0%

  • I don't know what to think

    Votes: 46 6.4%

  • What controversay? (links in post)

    Votes: 5 0.7%
  • Total voters
    722

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#291
Bears repeating!
Swanky said:
We'd like to leave this thread open, but political conspiracy theories, among other comments need to stop. Discuss the topic only please, let's keep the discussion open and all responses to others need to remain respectful.
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Also, let’s stick closely to topic, it really helps preventing tangents and drama.
 
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#331
RitaLA said:
Ps: this answer is in acknowledgment of what you said.
I don't believe they are unaware. I think they thought we would be unaware. If we start tracking Balenciaga, some things started pointing to this time in History. This didn't happen overnight. It has been a systemic and well-planned process to continue exploring the child sexualization theme but they have been slowly introducing it to the public. The typical frog in the pan scenario. Suddenly, they get too comfortable, and bam! This is not new for them. The difference is that it wasn't so overt in the past. But I believe there is a time for everything and it's our time to open our eyes and not allow companies like that to use children to try to normalize pedophilia. This is not art. But let's go into the rabbit hole of the "art" conversation. If you are a mother, look at Michael Borressmans paintings and read about the themes of this art. How would you feel about his art, knowing that his paintings promote violence against children? Would you buy his paintings? Would you have a conversation with your children about it? What about pictures from Balenciaga that promote child violence and even adult violence (panda bear), does that align with your worldview? If it does, good luck and move on. Rachel Chandler, Lotta Volkova, and others are all connected. Do your research (meaning: people in general).
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As someone unfamiliar with any of Balenciaga's ad campaigns (I don't own any Bal items, although the Bazar tote did catch my eye), can you please share more information on the evolution of their campaigns that explore the sexualization of children? I was not aware of this at all, until this most recent Teddy Bear campaign.
 
#333
Jaxholt15 said:
I have always liked Balenciaga, clothes, shoes, and bags. I own many items and will continue to wear/carry the items I own. I will purchase other items in the future. I looked this up and the children with the weird teddy bags (and they are weird bags) are wearing t-shirts and shorts. The news article however is puzzling and definitely offensive. What I am saying is I am not abandoning one of my favorite brands because someone in marketing made a mistake/error in judgement.
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The whole point is that it's not an error in marketing. It is deliberate.
 
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#334
As a cool side note, the artist alluded within the ad is Michael Borremans whose work at David Zwirner I really dig- https://www.davidzwirner.com/artists/michael-borremans

The book featured in the ad is https://www.davidzwirnerbooks.com/product/michael-borremans-fire-from-the-sun

This controversy reminds me so much of when Balthus paintings first came out- https://gagosian.com/artists/balthus/

I guess in 10 years we will re-evaluate the sociopolitical acuity of the campaign and learn that in hindsight, it was pivotal just like Tom Ford x Gucci ads or the YSL ads from the 1980s.

At least we aren't getting Terry Richardson here are we? LOL :D
 
#335
Really bizarre. I wonder where the child-models parents were (mentally) during these shoots. Did the excitement of the gig cancel out any common sense? I am betting the brand thought they were going hard-rocker/edgy or something with this and the stylist thought the bondage gear looked pretty heavy metal but I find it impossible that no one saw the finished product and didn't think, "um this is not a good result". They actually paid to place them! They are going to lose a boatload over this. Luxury brands are 80% social cache; this is going to sting. I am glad I don't own this stock and I'm also glad I don't own their bags. Good grief.
 
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#337
AH673 said:
Really bizarre. I wonder where the child-models parents were (mentally) during these shoots. Did the excitement of the gig cancel out any common sense? I am betting the brand thought they were going hard-rocker/edgy or something with this and the stylist thought the bondage gear looked pretty heavy metal but I find it impossible that no one saw the finished product and didn't think, "um this is not a good result". They actually paid to place them! They are going to lose a boatload over this. Luxury brands are 80% social cache; this is going to sting. I am glad I don't own this stock and I'm also glad I don't own their bags. Good grief.
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Considering how many pieces in the Balenciaga have a heavy metal influence, I would not be suprised.

The way I see, I see the ad flap up as much as the way people demonized Dungeons and Dragons in the earlier days. And now D and D is one of the most popular roleplaying games ever. Balenciaga may be cagey but if the the long term strategy is to get attention they certainly got it now :D
 
#338
preppie said:
You posted that “they” control the market, then listed off a list of Jewish individuals and family names. You cannot be so daft as to not know that is a major and oldest anti-Semitic conspiracy theories in history, one even used by the Nazis. It’s combination with this thread is practically invoking a blood libel smear in Jewish persons.
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Unfair to refer to "daft" - I am confused myself. Perhaps not appropriate to continue in this thread so I will stop here.
 
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#343
Tyler_JP said:
This is very reminiscent of the editorial in Vogue Paris that ultimately got Carine Roitfeld fired as editor in chief back in 2011… really surprised any fashion label would go this route after that incident.
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Can you give more detail? I looked this Carine Roitfeld up and I don't see any link to children.
Edit- Apologies - I located the information.
 
#345
Suzil said:
I was sexually abused at age 4 (for many years). I am now, proudly, a “normal” 40 year old adult who has made peace with her past but to see the look on those children’s eyes was very hurtful… something I know first hand what lies behind. What a heartbreak to know what those kids are really going through. This is no mistake, they are testing us; how much more can they push us? Where are we morally? Do we see what is hidden in plain sight? And this is probably just the tip of the iceberg. Don’t have answers but I have questions and that is a start!
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Me too. Won't go into any further detail than that but I will never purchase anything from Balenciaga again. I've come to terms with some of my past but it still tends to creep up at moments, especially seeing campaigns like this that normalize exploitation. I'm here with you. Your story matters. Thank you for sharing.
 
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