Kim Kardashian named Balenciaga ambassador following controversial ad scandal

Luxury fashion brand Balenciaga has named reality star Kim Kardashian as its latest brand ambassador, according to a statement. The appointment comes just over a year after the star called out the brand for a controversial campaign it did sexualising children in its holiday campaign.

The announcement of Kardashian's 2024 appointment as ambassador comes with a portrait by the documentary photographer Platon, according to Balenciaga.

Don’t miss: Kim Kardashian breaks silence on Balenciaga saga, re-evaluates future with brand

Over the years, Kim Kardashian has walked the Balenciaga 51st Couture show, accompanied creative director Demna to the 2021 Met Gala wearing custom Balenciaga, attended Balenciaga runway shows, and co-starred in several campaigns, it said. 

“For several years now, Balenciaga’s designs have been a part of my many looks – and some of my most iconic fashion moments," said Kardashian

"This historic fashion house embraces modernity, craftsmanship and takes an innovative approach to design under Demna. For me, this long-standing relationship is built on mutual trust and a commitment to doing what’s right. I’m excited about this next chapter for the brand and to become their ambassador,” she added.

Kardashian's statements come after she strongly condemned the brand for a 2022 holiday campaign that was called out for sexualising children.

The photos, which have since been deleted by the luxury fashion brand, reportedly showed children holding teddy bears that were wearing what seemed like bondage harnesses. One image showed a child standing on the bed with a plush bear bag and being surrounded by other accessories and Balenciaga purses. Those items also include what seems to be a chain leash. 

At the time, Kardashian said that she was “re-evaluating” her future with the brand and their relationship.

The celebrity, who was one of the cast of Balenciaga’s couture fashion show in July 2022, explained on social media that she was quiet, not because she hasn’t “been disgusted and outraged by the recent Balenciaga campaigns”, but because she wanted to “speak to their team to understand how this could have happened”.  

She also added that on speaking with them, she believes that the brand understands the seriousness of the issue and will take the necessary measures for this to never happen again.

Meanwhile, Balenciaga also said at the time that it takes responsibility for the “series of grievous errors” and outlined that it is closely revising the collective ways of working and reinforcing structures around its creative processes and validation steps.

“We want to ensure that new controls mark a pivot and will prevent this from happening again,” it said in 2022. The brand also said it is working with organisations which specialise in child protection. Balenciaga also filed a US$25 million lawsuit against the production companies involved in that ad campaign.

Kardashian’s appointment comes shortly after celebrities such as Nicole Kidman, Isabelle Huppert, Michelle Yeoh and PP Krit Amnuaydechkorn were named brand ambassadors for the fashion house. 

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