“I would like to personally apologize for the bad technical choice (…) and I take responsibility for it,” wrote Georgian coach Demna in a statement, who was content with his name without a nickname, “Gvasalia”. post on Instagram.
“Although I sometimes wanted to provoke myself with my work, I never intended to do so with a topic as serious as child abuse, which I condemn,” she added.
Demna, known for his marked tendency to provocation, especially by organizing disturbing shows that convey social messages, is facing widespread criticism after the recent advertising campaign for the Balenciaga house of the luxury giant Kering.
Photos from this campaign, scanned over a week ago, show children on a sofa or bed carrying a teddy bear-shaped bag tied to black belts inspired by BDSM sex accessories.
And American social media star Kim Kardashian has announced her desire to “reevaluate” her relationship with the luxury brand following the campaign.
Netizens also noted that another image from Balenciaga’s campaign shows a bag made as part of the house’s collaboration with Adidas, inside an office against which excerpts from a US Supreme Court decision on the child pornography.
And Balenciaga announced a few days ago that it assumed “full responsibility for the absence of monitoring and control”, stating that it had “filed a complaint” because the campaign included “these unauthorized documents resulting from irresponsible negligence”.
The general manager of the house, Cedric Charbet, announced in a statement on Instagram that Balenciaga ultimately decided “not to take any legal action” in the case, also offering a “personal” apology.
The New York Post reported that the lawsuit filed in New York courts was directed against the production company ‘North Sex’ and interior designer Nicholas de Jardin, and sought $25 million in damages.
