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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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.
 
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There are many who have no clue as to this Balenciaga controversary. Not even sure if it has
made the "news" on various tv stations.
Where I am located, it has made the nightly national news. In addition, most major North American news outlets have reported on the controversy - just like the sensational reporting on the Chanel advent calendar, circa 2021.
 
Where I am located, it has made the nightly national news. In addition, most major North American news outlets have reported on the controversy - just like the sensational reporting on the Chanel advent calendar, circa 2021.
I'm in the NYC area & haven't heard a word on the news & have been looking for it, so out of curiosity
what national news outlet has covered this? NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN?
Thinking maybe Inside Edition will cover or TMZ?
Just got finished reading an interesting editorial by Marilyn Kirschner "Look on Line" with a comment
from Ralph Rucci that was posted on his IG account the other day
 
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What really sucks is that Demna is so into himself and his "art", and so is whoever else upstairs that goes along with it-They don't stop to think about the innocent employees that are affected.
Reports of empty stores, vandalism, SAs being harassed-they are the ones who are feeling it. Can you imagine being a Balenciaga SA and having to go to work today? I would be more than a little distressed, worrying about a cavalcade of pissed off people stopping by or making a scene outside. It would be intimidating to leave work and see a crowd with signs. Even if they are well behaved, it's unnerving.
It's not fair to Bal owners either. I know how much many of you used to love those bags and collected citys, works, etc and I think it would be a shame if you felt judged for using them, or felt fear!
Yesterday when I saw the protest at the mall, I was glad that I wasn't carrying one of my Balenciagas, I would have felt very uncomfortable and who knows if I would have been harassed. I don't want to get rid of my bags but I feel weird using them right now.
 
Aaaaaannnnnnnnnddddd Balenciaga has dropped their lawsuit against the set designer and production company behind the campaigns. It was farcical to begin with and only made them look like they're deflecting - which they were.
I made most of my points on page 13 of this thread so I don't want to repeat them. Dropping the lawsuit infers that they don't have a leg to stand on because they signed off on all the creative prior to it launching. I knew it, and so did Balenciaga.
 
I'm in the NYC area & haven't heard a word on the news & have been looking for it, so out of curiosity
what national news outlet has covered this? NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN?
Thinking maybe Inside Edition will cover or TMZ?
Just got finished reading an interesting editorial by Marilyn Kirschner "Look on Line" with a comment
from Ralph Rucci that was posted on his IG account the other day
TMZ has covered it (on their show) a few times since the controversy started.
 
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I'm in the NYC area & haven't heard a word on the news & have been looking for it, so out of curiosity
what national news outlet has covered this? NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN?
Thinking maybe Inside Edition will cover or TMZ?
Just got finished reading an interesting editorial by Marilyn Kirschner "Look on Line" with a comment
from Ralph Rucci that was posted on his IG account the other day

Most people have read about it on news on their Apple phone last week after Thanksgiving. I happen to find it when I was in search of a white Balenciaga baseball cap. I have seen it headline on my phone a few times this past week. Also, I have seen on Fox News in Los Angeles when they have shown protests outside the Rodeo boutique.
 
BALENCIAGA TAKES THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS WITH THE OBJECTIVE TO LEARN
FROM OUR MISTAKES AS AN ORGANIZATION.
NEW CONTROL INSTANCES:
OUR CURRENT PROCESS FOR CONTENT VALIDATION HAS FAILED, AND WE
RECOGNIZE THE NEED TO DO BETTER
ON THE INTERNAL SIDE, WE NOMINATE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT AN IM-
AGE BOARD RESPONSIBLE FOR EVALUATING THE NATURE OF OUR CONTENT
FROM CONCEPT TO FINAL ASSETS, INCLUDING LEGAL, SUSTAINABILITY AND
DIVERSITY EXPERTISE
ON THE EXTERNAL SIDE, WE HAVE APPOINTED A BEST-IN-CLASS AGENCY
TO ASSESS AND EVALUATE OUR CONTENT
ORGANIZATION:
WE HAVE REORGANIZED OUR IMAGE DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE FULL ALIGN-
MENT WITH OUR CORPORATE GUIDELINES
LAWSUIT:
BALENCIAGA HAS DECIDED NOT TO PURSUE LITIGATION
LEARN AND CONTRIBUTE:
WE WANT TO LEARN, HELP AND CONTRIBUTE TO PROTECT CHILDREN
WE ARE STARTING TRAININGS ON RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION ACROSS
OUR TEAMS
TOGETHER WITH MY TEAM, WE WILL GO ON "LISTENING TOUR" TO ENGAGE
WITH ADVOCACY GROUPS WHO AIM TO PROTECT CHILDREN
DONATION:
WE HAVE SET ASIDE A SIGNIFICANT FUND FOR GRANTS TO ORGANIZATIONS
SO THAT WE CAN HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN PROTECTING CHILDREN
I WANT TO PERSONALLY REITERATE MY SINCERE APOLOGIES FOR THE OFFENSE
CAUSED AND TAKE MY RESPONSIBILITY.
AT BALENCIAGA, WE STAND TOGETHER FOR CHILDREN SAFETY AND DO NOT
TOLERATE ANY KIND OF VIOLENCE AND HATRED MESSAGE.
CÉDRIC CHARBIT
PRESIDENT AND CEO

What a load of crap! You need to appoint an "image board" to know right from wrong when using children in campaigns? No you need an image board to assess legal ramifications --disgusting. You drop the lawsuit not to assume full responsibility and screen every individual internally responsible for allowing this to be approved/released. You again reiterate appointing a "best in class agency to evaluate content" -- what is wrong with you people? If you took accountability and heads rolled over there who were responsible and a clear public message was sent that would be a start. You retain the designer !!!!!:noggin:

Typical corporate PR statement. Assign a board, coordinate trainings, throw pretend money that you receive tax incentive at the issue and my personal favorite --go on a listening tour... I hope you get an earful of insight. BTW- lose the caps..

Set aside significant fund for grants ? How much?
At Balenciaga we stand together for children safety and do not tolerate any kind of violence or hatred message.... Obtuse!

Every time they open their mouths, I get more angry.
John Galliano was dropped from Dior within a few days wasnt it? Here there is no mention of the designer or the stylists being dropped, in a situation where they need to be long gone.
 
The Alexander wang era? The man has been shown to grope, drug, and sexually harass models, literally sexual misconduct .

just imo not directed towards anyone, the Moto bag is iconic and most people familiar with fashion will immediately know it’s Balenciaga. Wearing these bags is normalizing the brand and keeps them in the culture. Almost as disgusting as the company. It’s like people who listen to RKelly’s music after what has happened.

Not to mention supporting Kering’s other brands is indirectly supporting Balenciaga since Kering will gladly funnel money from Gucci or Bottega to rescue Balenciaga


They’re lying and I don’t believe it. There’s just too much that I don’t think it was a coincidence or the producers fault. They should just close doors. The name is tainted now.
If you are going to blame people who likes the bags before the scandal, when why would you support other brands who had such not nice histories or comments or behaviors towards certain populations?
 
Sorry - did not really check my sources but I have seen this mentioned in other news outlets that his company owns the company that makes the life size sex dolls and calls it art - I personally believe it - but who knows - I also believe Balenciaga knew exactly what they were doing and if you do not believe that you are very naive
 
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