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

[Swanky]

Bears repeating!

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.

Also, let’s stick closely to topic, it really helps preventing tangents and drama.

 

[piosavsfan]

This is happening at Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego today. This is an area right between Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.

 

[Shelby33]

This is happening at Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego today. This is an area right between Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.
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Doesn't look to bad.. I don't agree with a few of the signs but looks under control

 

[RitaLA]

How did at least one of the campaigns (the one featuring children) get this passed at the brainstorming stage?
Why does someone in the/a Bal team know so much about all this sh*t?
Why isn't Demna CREATIVE DIRECTOR apologising to everyone who works at Balenciaga for putting all their jobs in jeopardy?
Why muddy the name of the BDSM community (who have strict codes based on consent)?

Why are children in a campaign to sell to adults at all?

I went to Kering HQ in London today and posted a handwritten letter inside a Christmas card. Something along the lines of how disappointed I am with the management of this crisis, before and after they got 'found out'.

Saturday in London and every store had a queue outside today, I observed not a single customer in Bal.

I am going to continue to wear the BAL I have, although I haven't purchased anything for a long time. I don't see what customers who buy a product on its own merits maybe years and years ago should be made to feel like a leper.

" went to Kering HQ in London today and posted a handwritten letter inside a Christmas card" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow wow wow
I applaud you for doing that! Thank you so much!!!!!! Thank you for taking a step to try to be heard. They need to know that we are not ok with this and we will never be. NO NO NO We have a voice and we will keep speaking up

 

[CrackBerryCream]

Just like you're doing? LOL
By the way, Christie's is owned by Groupe Artémis, François-Henri Pinault's holding company.

Yes, everyone is supporting their own opinion at the end of the day. Mine is not to try to attribute a meaning to things where there might be none.

Is the art in question distasteful? In my opinion yes, but it doesn't mean Pinault is supportive of everything being sold at Christie's. At the end of the day he will buy/hold whichever company makes him money and hire the people he thinks will make him money.

 

[RitaLA]

This is happening at Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego today. This is an area right between Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.
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I got goosebumps when I saw this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RitaLA]

Yes, everyone is supporting their own opinion at the end of the day. Mine is not to try to attribute a meaning to things where there might be none.

Is the art in question distasteful? In my opinion yes, but it doesn't mean Pinault is supportive of everything being sold at Christie's. At the end of the day he will buy/hold whichever company makes him money and hire the people he thinks will make him money

This doesn't align with logic. Sorry. No dialogue here. Enjoy your weekend!

 

[CrackBerryCream]

This doesn't align with logic. Sorry. No dialogue here. Enjoy your weekend!

Maybe not your logic, but everyone works on different assumptions and someone else with experience in such investments might chime in. From my ordinary, non-billionaire opinion I'd invest in companies with a high reputation (which Christie's has) and the right numbers (which I assume they have), which promise enough growth and profit in the future.

 

[reflection212]

Does anyone know what this purple object is on the right side of the advertisement picture? I can’t find a clearer picture. Someone said it could be a sexual object.

 

[MooMooVT]

Many of you are certainly quick to determine you will never purchase from Balenciaga or the Kering Group. If you do some research what brand doesn’t have scandal? Chanel has Nazi affiliations, they say Coco Chanel had a relationship with a Nazi officer. Hermes boutique caught for selling fakes as real bags. Nike slammed for low wages and labor practices. Dolce and Gabbana China fashion show scandal over alleged racism. The list goes on and on. If you are all set to abandon every brand with bad marketing choices you better learn to sew! I do not condone any of the bad marketing/scandals I am simply saying most brands have scandal that they overcome.

Agreed. This too shall pass. I've owned a LOT of Volkswagen's and VW auto group vehicles - and their history is objectively worse than all these. The people in charge of Bal's campaigns need to go. The company/people involved need to be held accountable, but the company doesn't need to fold.

 

[papertiger]

Yes, everyone is supporting their own opinion at the end of the day. Mine is not to try to attribute a meaning to things where there might be none.

Is the art in question distasteful? In my opinion yes, but it doesn't mean Pinault is supportive of everything being sold at Christie's. At the end of the day he will buy/hold whichever company makes him money and hire the people he thinks will make him money.

I'm not about boycotting (canceling) Kering's companies at all, but as the parent company of Balenciaga, they hold sway. I wouldn't want to stop anyone from buying what they want. I've only heard a lip-service type of 'apology' from Kering, and Bal's own was ridiculous considering the material ("We strongly condemn abuse of children in any form. We stand for children safety and well-being.")

Why use children in a campaign directed for and at adult consumers anyway? Why would you picture a child in an adult's bedroom posing? It's clearly an adult's bedroom. Who do they think their customers/would-be are? What the companies are issuing as PR statements and what we saw via campaign(s) do not tally (IMO).

Ghesquière joined in on Insta Fri "When I left @kering in 2012 I felt disconnected and hurt by [their] values and dishonesty," -

As far as I'm concerned LVMH are no angels, far from it, but Kering actually came up with their name (rather than PPR) to show how caring they were. I thought it was all about accountability and transparency (Kering). They need to be held to their own promises. Those ads were not caring, but they are Kering's (IMO).

 

[dangerouscurves]

Many of you are certainly quick to determine you will never purchase from Balenciaga or the Kering Group. If you do some research what brand doesn’t have scandal? Chanel has Nazi affiliations, they say Coco Chanel had a relationship with a Nazi officer. Hermes boutique caught for selling fakes as real bags. Nike slammed for low wages and labor practices. Dolce and Gabbana China fashion show scandal over alleged racism. The list goes on and on. If you are all set to abandon every brand with bad marketing choices you better learn to sew! I do not condone any of the bad marketing/scandals I am simply saying most brands have scandal that they overcome.

I'm not buying Dolce and Gabbana anymore. I'm sure we will all try to buy things more with conscience now. Time is changing, more and more are aware of these things.

 

[CrackBerryCream]

I'm not about boycotting (canceling) Kering's companies at all, but as the parent company of Balenciaga, they hold sway. I wouldn't want to stop anyone from buying what they want. I've only heard a lip-service type of 'apology' from Kering, and Bal's own was ridiculous considering the material ("We strongly condemn abuse of children in any form. We stand for children safety and well-being.")

Why use children in a campaign directed for and at adult consumers anyway? Why would you picture a child in an adult's bedroom posing? It's clearly an adult's bedroom. Who do they think their customers/would-be are? What the companies are issuing as PR statements and what we saw via campaign(s) do not tally (IMO).

Ghesquière joined in on Insta Fri "When I left @kering in 2012 I felt disconnected and hurt by [their] values and dishonesty," -

As far as I'm concerned LVMH are no angels, far from it, but Kering actually came up with their name (rather than PPR) to show how caring they were. I thought it was all about accountability and transparency (Kering). They need to be held to their own promises. Those ads were not caring, but they are Kering's (IMO).

Interesting to know about Kering's name, I wasn't aware previously. I agree that they should take actual responsibility (which in my opinion includes exchanging the Balenciaga management).

What I'm arguing against is insinuating a deeper meaning to Pinault's ownership of Christie's, which happens to have sold distasteful art by Jake and Dinos Chapman. They are also sold on other major auction houses, e.g. Bonhams, Artsy. If there's any meaning to be derived it's that people nowadays are desensitized.

 

[millivanilli]

How did at least one of the campaigns (the one featuring children) get this passed at the brainstorming stage?
Why does someone in the/a Bal team know so much about all this sh*t?
Why isn't Demna CREATIVE DIRECTOR apologising to everyone who works at Balenciaga for putting all their jobs in jeopardy?
Why muddy the name of the BDSM community (who have strict codes based on consent)?

Why are children in a campaign to sell to adults at all?

I went to Kering HQ in London today and posted a handwritten letter inside a Christmas card. Something along the lines of how disappointed I am with the management of this crisis, before and after they got 'found out'.

Saturday in London and every store had a queue outside today, I observed not a single customer in Bal.

I am going to continue to wear the BAL I have, although I haven't purchased anything for a long time. I don't see what customers who buy a product on its own merits maybe years and years ago should be made to feel like a leper.

you are officially my hero. Thank you.

 

[TraceySH]

Wow, put that way, it becomes even more clear that the child is an object. Thank you for this insight

When I read some of the posts above, I simply think we all pick where we draw the line. I’m fine with chanel bc the Wertheimers thought it good business to forgive her; pay her taxes; and support her for the rest of her life. I’m not fine with Hugo boss bc the company supplied Nazi uniforms. Siimilarky, some on this thread will wear their old balenciaga, some won’t. The more I understand what I’m looking at (child with bondage bear), the more I wish B would replace Demna. and, yes, I think a lot of creatives in fashion, as in life, are to put it mildly, not nice people.

It's was all a very cohesive vision once I saw it like that....

 

[papertiger]

you are officially my hero. Thank you.

A slightly stupid hero, they know a lot more about me than I know about any of them. Anyway, it was strongly but politely worded.

I think companies are increasingly become immune to online banter and SM controversy, especially if it's between people that have never even thought about making a purchase.

In among my research, I saw a on YT-commentator threatening to stop wearing a FAKE Hourglass. I mean please,

t would be funny if it weren't so 'sad'. I switched it over to see a dog doing yoga with his owner for more gravitas.

This is a bag/fashion forum, potential clients abound, I think Bal/Kering should know what people that care and have been contributing to their multi-billionaire lifestyle think. I have a lot of money invested in (NG-era) clothing/footwear/bag. I am a huge fan of the legacy of Cristóbal Balenciaga too, this sullies his name.

IMO, a company pretends to care is worse than not caring. I buy their products not their BS.