The timeline of the Balenciaga ad fail saga

To keep track of everything happening in the Balenciaga saga, we've put together this timeline.

 

November 16, the 'Gift Collection' ad campaign launches on Balenciaga's official social media accounts advertising the "Balenciaga Gift Shop."

 

This was immediately picked up by style magazines like High Snobiety, who raved about the items available and exclaimed "The holiday gifting ante has officially been upped. Deck the halls in boughs of Balenciaga!"

The  "gift collection" campaign was shot by photographer Gabriele Galimberti known for his award-winning National Geographic work. This is the campaign where children were posed holding "bondage bears", which were part of the Spring/Summer 2023 collection.

 

November 22, 2022 - Balenciaga pulled the 'Gift Collection' campaign and released a statement on Instagram apologizing for the photo shoot.

“Our plush bear bags should not have been featured with children in this campaign. We have immediately removed the campaign from all platforms.”

“We take this matter very seriously and are taking legal action against the parties responsible for creating the set and including unapproved items for our Spring 23 campaign photo shoot-”

November 23 - Gabriele Galimberti issued a statement on Instagram

 

Balenciaga tried initially to blame the photographer as inferred by their statement. In response, he posted this on Instagram.  Petapixel reported on this the same day.

The other campaign launched almost simultaneously was the 'Garde-Robe' campaign, where models and celebrities posed in the "bored rooms", in the latest Balenciaga gear, complete with purses and all office accessories that you could imagine. And then some printouts of child porn supreme court cases because why not?

The photos in this campaign were shot by photojournalist Joshua Bright and the videos were done by Rosie Marks.

Celebrities in this campaign included Nicole Kidman, Isabelle Huppert, Han So Hee, and models Bella Hadid and Khadim Sock.

 

November 24 - backlash against the "S&M ADS FOR KIDS CLOTHING" reaches celebs.
 

TMZ reports on celebrities and influencers like Kim Kardashian and Bella Hadid were "feeling the heat" because of their connection to the brand, as consumers begin to contact everyone involved.

November 25, Balenciaga initiates a $25 million lawsuit against North Six and Nicholas Des Jardins

As adland reported on here.  The suit alleged that North Six and Jardins took part in "inexplicable acts and omissions" that were "malevolent or, at the very least, extraordinarily reckless."

November 27, Kim Kardashian condemned Balenciaga on Twitter
November 28, Balenciaga issues another social media statement

And they deleted everything else from their Instagram account, so now this is all anyone can see there.

November 28, The Business of Fashion revokes Demna's Global Voices Award

The Balenciaga creative director Demna was supposed to receive the Global Voices award, but it was revoked.

December 2, Creative Director Demna Gvasalia responds.

 

The very same day, the lawsuit initiated by Balenciaga against the production company and stylist was dropped.

December 6, Swedish Royalty speaks out against Balenciaga

As adland reported on here, Princess Madeleine of Sweden spoke out against Balenciaga's ad campaign, while promoting her "Childhood foundation" which works to protect children from violence and sexual abuse. 

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