Kim Kardashian addresses Balenciaga's shocking teddy bear photoshoot

Kim Kardashian says she was "shaken by the disturbing images" Balenciaga used in its new campaign, but believes "they understand the seriousness of the issue".

The high-end luxury fashion house has come under fire for a campaign that featured children carrying teddy bears that were dressed in S&M-style harnesses. 

Many people called the photoshoot inappropriate, with some going as far as labelling the ad "child exploitation". 

The brand faced further outrage when social media users noticed that another ad for one of its bags featured papers from a child pornography case. 

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Kim remained mum on the controversy for almost a week despite calls from her fans to speak out on the matter. 

The 42-year-old signed a multi-million dollar deal with Balenciaga and featured in a campaign for the fashion house in 2022. 

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Kim took to her social media platforms on Sunday to share her views on the Balenciaga controversy. 

"I have been quiet for the past few days, not because I haven’t been disgusted and outraged by the recent Balenciaga campaigns, but because I wanted an opportunity to speak to their team to understand for myself how this could have happened," she wrote.

The SKIMS founder - who has four children; North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm - says she was equally disturbed by the photoshoot. 

"As a mother of four, I have been shaken by the disturbing images. The safety of children must be held with the highest regard and any attempts to normalize child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society — period.."

Kim added in a separate tweet: "I appreciate Balenciaga’s removal of the campaigns and apology. In speaking with them, I believe they understand the seriousness of the issue and will take the necessary measures for this to never happen again." 

The reality star's fans slammed her for not cutting ties with the brand.

"What a gentle way to condemn their actions while still ensuring you are invited to their next fashion show. Fence riding at its finest!" one Twitter user wrote. 

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Kim returned to social media shortly after her original posts to clarify where she stands with Balenciaga. 

"As for my future with Balenciaga, I am currently re-evaluating my relationship with the brand, basing it off their willingness to accept accountability for something that should have never happened to begin with — & the actions I am expecting to see them take to protect children."

But social media users are still not buying it. They have called for Balenciaga to be cancelled and for Kim to distance herself from the brand.

"Imagine being rich enough to walk away from a job that is morally corrupt - and then choosing not to," one Twitter user tweeted. 

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One day before Kim released the statement, her ex-husband weighed in on the matter. Kanye says the reason why many celebrities are silent about the Balenciaga saga is that most of them are being controlled. 

"All celebrities are controlled. You don't see no celebrities talking about the Balenciaga situation. That just shows you, all of these celebrities out here, don't let them influence you in any way because they are controlled by the people who really influence the world. There is no such thing as a celebrity influencer," he said. 

Balenciaga cut ties with Ye in October over several posts that were deemed anti-semitic. Adidas, which collaborated with Balenciaga in 2022, also cut ties with the rapper. 

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Main image credit: Instagram/@kimkardashian