Balenciaga’s child exploitation scandal saw them cancelled. A year later, celebrities don’t care anymore

A year after calls to break up fashion house Balenciaga following allegations of child sexualization, celebrities are once again throwing their support behind the brand.

Kim Kardashian, Nicole Kidman, Cardi B and more attended Balenciaga's runway return with its Pre-Fall 2024 show in Los Angeles on Saturday – her first runway event since the brand scandal.

In November 2022, Balenciaga ran advertisements for a holiday campaign featuring child models holding teddy bears equipped with bondage gear.

The luxury fashion brand's campaign was met with strong opposition online: “#cancelbalenciaga” circulated on social media and allegations of pedophilia and sexual exploitation were directed at Balenciaga's creative director Denma.

Despite the backlash, a second ad promoting the brand's collaboration with Adidas was released later that month. One bag from the joint collection was photographed over Supreme Court documents and included an excerpt from USA v. Williams, a ruling that upheld federal protection of child sexual material.

The latter ad, which featured Kidman and supermodel Bella Hadid, was filmed in July and features other props such as a book by Belgian painter Michaël Borremans, whose works have been described by the David Zwirner Gallery as “Toddlers Engaging in Playful But Mysterious Deeds.” “Performing something uncanny” described overtones and hints of violence.”

Photo by Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images

Balenciaga withdraws ads featuring children holding teddy bears dressed in shackles and takes legal action against 'those responsible'

Balenciaga later apologized for the ad, writing in a statement shared on Instagram: “We sincerely apologize for any offense our Christmas campaign may have caused.”

In February, Denma did an interview with Vogue in which he admitted that the ads were a “misjudgment” and that he “[regrets] that is a lot.”

“That was my big mistake. I didn't realize how inappropriate it would be to place these items [in the image] and still have the child in the middle. Unfortunately it was the wrong idea and a bad decision on my part,” said Denma.

Meanwhile, Balenciaga is keeping the public on its toes by releasing a dirty-chic outfit with “super-destroyed baggy pants” and a stained, distressed jacket for $8,073, as well as a towel skirt for $1,400, a la someone , who just got out of the shower.

In Balenciaga's return to the runway, Cardi B hit the runway in an oversized blue faux fur coat (featured by fellow rappers 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne), while Kardashian carried a simple paper bag made in collaboration with Los Angeles cult-favorite Health Grocery Erewhon.

Cardi B has been a face of Balenciaga since 2020 and Kardashian since 2022, while Kidman was recently announced as the brand's global ambassador.

Kardashian secured a front row seat at the event, which was also attended by her model sister Kendall Jenner, despite announcing on X/Twitter that she would be “re-evaluating” her relationship with Balenciaga in the wake of the scandal.

“As a mother of four children, the disturbing images shocked me. “Children’s safety must be a top priority and any attempts to normalize child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society – period,” Kardashian wrote in November 2022.

“I appreciate the removal of the campaigns and the apology from Balenciaga. When I talk to them, I believe that they understand the seriousness of the problem and will take the necessary measures to ensure that something like this never happens again.

“As for my future at Balenciaga, I am currently re-evaluating my relationship with the brand based on their willingness to take responsibility for something that should never have happened – (and) the actions I expect from them. “take to protect children.”

Kardashian was seen wearing Balenciaga clothing in social media posts in April and appeared in a photo shoot for the brand's summer 2024 collection in October.

Other guests in attendance included Salma Hayek, Joey King, Cole Sprouse, Tracee Ellis Ross, Lisa Rinna and Leonardo DiCaprio's model girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti.

Andrea Verdelli/Getty Images

Balenciaga later apologized for the ad, writing in a statement shared on Instagram: “We sincerely apologize for any offense our holiday campaign may have caused.”

Online, social media users have shared their disappointment with Balenciaga and its celebrity supporters.

“Cancel culture doesn't exist, I could have sworn Balenciaga was canceled for child sexual promotion a while ago and here we go…Kim released a statement calling her out and she's in the first place series,” someone wrote on X/Twitter.

“So the fake outrage over Balenciaga sexualizing children is over,” wrote another.