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.

 

[Nancy in VA]

Well - we all have our opinions but what exactly was Balenciaga trying to do? We all know they go over these ads with a fine tooth comb - how about the one with the legal papers about child porn? Was that a mistake too? Come on...

 

[Shelby33]

It's sad that any company has to revisit protocols in 2022 regarding the photographing of children, but now that I think about it I'm not sure if they actually mentioned what these new "protocols" will be.
I have not seen this on any news channels but I haven't watched TV much. I think though I saw it on either CNN or our local news when they let Kanye go.
My mom found out because she follows an interior decorator on YouTube whose name is Justine Leconte. She made a video discussing the campaign.
There are so many people who watch YouTube, with a wide variety of interests. I'm sure other channels have had something to say.

ETA just watched her video, I don't think it's interior design, maybe just fashion.

 

[Shelby33]

As per below, from quanon, proud boy, and not reputable source.





agree with @OriginalBalenciaga and @preppie re the importance of vetting sources

i do agree with @Nancy in VA post 619, that absolutely Balenciaga knew what they were doing in the ad campaign. In fact Demna has stated that every decision made is deliberate.

(whether it was social commentary in the light of US vs. Williams, or bc Demna and Lotte have questionable motives, or both, the fall out is the same and foreseeable)

(and for reasons of fallout and crisis management , relating to company PR, if not morality, that Demna and Lotte should be fired. . . Though of course that’s something that likely will be behind closed doors) and

I agree we should be citing only MSM and just focus on what Bal actually did but also what about Adidas, have they not commented?

 

[880]

I agree we should be citing only MSM and just focus on what Bal actually did but also what about Adidas, have they not commented?

I wasn’t sure if there was a controversy between balenciaga and adidas so I googled and didn’t find anything? Re whether there should be protocols in place, not sure if with a conservative, pro constitution Supreme Court, we will end up with anything that addresses serious concerns. IMO Scalia’s insistence that virtual pornography is protected by First Amendment bc it doesn’t harm an actual child is really problematic in terms of child safety. Then again, the US strict constitutional/ strong First Amendment Protection seems to be more of a cover or protection for disturbing ad campaigns like Balenciaga than the more liberal POV.

I did see that adidas launched an investigation into something with Yeezy and Kanye West here, but didn’t go further to se eif there was some link between Kanye west and balenciaga

Adidas launches probe into misconduct allegations against Kanye West

Adidas AG on Thursday said it has launched an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior by Kanye West, after the German sporting goods maker last month ended its partnership with the rapper and fashion designer.

www.reuters.com

perhaps if Balenciaga terminated Demna, then they would act in a similar fashion, but termination doesnt seem likely

 

[Bag peace]

I wasn’t sure if there was a controversy between balenciaga and adidas so I googled and didn’t find anything?

The court documents were in the Adidas x Bal collab campaign...the Adidas stripes are on the bag, iirc. I don't think Adidas has commented at all, though they should have because they are involved and would also have signed off on the campaign.
I think the majority have focused on Bal because of the teddy bear pic (holiday gift campaign) on top of the court docs in the other Adidas collab pic.

 

[BPC]

Where is it shown that Christie's is selling child porn? That's a pretty serious allegation, one that could even put TPF in an awkward place of responsibility for that information being posted on the site.

Christie did sell "works" by Jake and Dino Chapman. They're dolls and they're vile.
Seems they were sold before the Artemis group bought Christies though.

And even if they were sold after, to accuse the owner of selling child porn is crazy. I deeply doubt he oversaw it personally.

Also, Christies is not the only auction house to sell dolls for that collection, Phillips did as well but no one's saying anything about them.

The witch hunt has started folks.

 

[alice87]

My best friends are the largest art dealers in the country so yeah, I’ve got plenty of backdrop and lots of interesting stories… that’s for sure.


No. I don’t.


Well I disagree entirely. And that’s ok. Mass produced fashion isn’t art. Never will be. Again, IMO.

I agree. Mass produced dies after the season, and nobody remember that was done, and it does not stand out year after year. Art takes place in history and is remembered.

 

[alice87]

My husband owned an art gallery in Manhattan and at the end of the day it was all about sales.

I have friends who are artists. Do you know how expensive it is to even be an artist? I was just talking over dinner to an artist from Brooklyn about this. Paints, Canvas , renting out a studio to be able to paint large pieces in ect ect. She loves being an artist but of course its about sales for her it has to be or she would not be able to afford to do this as a profession nor be able to afford to pay her bills, rent buy food.

Being an artist as your profession is about money. Unless you are talking about hobbyist who do not rely on art as main income. Sounds like you have a rather romantic idea of what art and I mean the serious art trade is actually about.

Does your friend works is pictured at the museum? Calling yourself an artist does not hold a place in history. It is a trade for her.

 

[Shelby33]

I will have to disagree with using only msm as source. I’ll be open to seeing what the alternative source is saying but I would need to be able to verify the accusations somehow using other credible primary source info.

I say that bc let’s imagine a scenario where a small lowly whistleblower is coming out to accuse a giant reputable person/company. Where would the public credibitly automatically lean towards? But how many times has the truth come from from these “un influential” people.

We have to use discernment.

MSM usually has a verified source. I'm more comfortable with that as I would not want to repeat things that may or may not be true, or may have been taken out of context.

 

[Shelby33]

Christie did sell "works" by Jake and Dino Chapman. They're dolls and they're vile.
Seems they were sold before the Artemis group bought Christies though.

And even if they were sold after, to accuse the owner of selling child porn is crazy. I deeply doubt he oversaw it personally.

Also, Christies is not the only auction house to sell dolls for that collection, Phillips did as well but no one's saying anything about them.

The witch hunt has started folks.

Exactly what I am trying to avoid.

 

[DeryaHm]

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

I have only heard about it here. Certainly no protestors outside the EH Balenciaga

 

[PRinLA]

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.

There was a small protest outside my local Balenciaga store over the weekend. I don’t feel comfortable wearing mine either and had *JUST* purchased an orange croc stamped Hourglass a week before this all happened. I returned it.

When I returned the SA mentioned I was the third that morning.

 

[DILF]

When I returned the SA mentioned I was the third that morning.

That’s wild. So this has a real impact on their sales?

 

[PRinLA]

That’s wild. So this has a real impact on their sales?

I believe so, although that is only my personal experience. I live in LA and couldn’t go a few hours without someone talking to me about it.

I remember the Gucci sweater, the Prada Monkey and even McQueen’s controversial shows “Highland R*pe” and “Yellow Rain” but they all pale by comparison with the reaction to Balenciagas campaigns. It’s actually really unfortunate for it’s legacy to be tarnished like this.

I understand the outrage and condemnation. Even if not as sinister and malicious as some may believe Demna loved to push the envelope and very recently claimed nothing he does is an “Accident.” He went too far.

 

[Mariambagaholic]

enough is enough I’m tired of their fake apology..it was not a mistake that was a decision, they should be held accountable all of them.