Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Tiffany & Co.
Balenciaga has officially unveiled Kim Kardashian as its latest brand ambassador. As The Shade Room previously reported, the brand came under fire in 2022 after sharing a holiday campaign that appeared to sexualize children.
On Monday, January 22, the company took to its official Instagram page to share three posts via its Story. The first post featured a black-and-white editorial-style photo of Kardashian gazing intently into the camera.
The text at the bottom of the post read, “KIM KARDASHIAN BALENCIAGA AMBASSADOR.”
In the second post, the brand elaborated.
“TODAY, BALENCIAGA NAMES KIM KARDASHIAN AS A NEW AMBASSADOR.”
The brand’s final post featured a quote from Kardashian detailing her decision. In the statement, the mother of four acknowledged how frequently the brand has “been a part” of her “many looks” and “most iconic fashion moments.”
Additionally, she credited the fashion house for embracing modernity, craftsmanship, and innovation.
Kardashian ultimately ended her statement by sharing their “mutual trust” and “commitment to doing what’s right.”
“For several years now, Balenciaga’s designs have been a part of my many looks – and some of my most iconic fashion moments,” she said. “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.”
To note, Balenciaga’s official website adds that fellow celebrities such as Nicole Kidman, Michelle Yeoh, and others are also ambassadors for the brand.
At this time, Kim Kardashian has not publicly commented on the announcement.
Additionally, Vogue reports that an official Balenciaga campaign featuring Kardashian is set to go public in the upcoming days.
Social media users entered The Shade Room’s comment section to share their reactions to the brand’s announcement.
As The Shade Room previously reported, one of Balenciaga’s advertisements went viral in November 2022. At the time, X user @shoe0nhead took to the platform as one of the first to bring attention to the campaign, per HighSnobiety.
The campaign featured a young girl holding a teddy bear that was wearing a bondage, or BDSM, outfit. Additionally, the photos also featured court documents from the U.S. Supreme Court case, United States v. Williams. According to OYEZ, the case touches on the issues of illegal child pornography and “pandering.”
From there, internet reactions to the campaign went wild, with journalist Tucker Carlson bringing the conversation mainstream. Carlson ultimately declared the ad as an “endorsement” for sexually explicit content of children.
After the photos went viral, Balenciaga issued a public apology. However, the brand also seemed to place blame on external “parties responsible for creating the set and including unapproved items.”
At the time, the brand maintained that it condemned “abuse of children in any form.”
In the days that followed, Kim Kardashian publicly addressed the matter by explaining she was “re-evaluating” her relationship with the brand.
As The Shade Room previously reported, later that month, Balenciaga filed a $25 million lawsuit against the external party allegedly responsible for the campaign. However, the litigation was reportedly dropped in December 2022.
