Credit: MEGA, Darla Khazei/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images
After Balenciaga released campaign photos of kids holding BDSM-themed accessories, many celebrities have yet to speak out against it.
Teresa Giudice from Real Housewives of New Jersey seemingly took it one step further, wearing a sweater with Balenciaga’s name written numerous times around it.
On Teresa’s (and her husband Luis Ruelas’) Instagram, the star posed with the brand’s sweater in multiple images during a trip to Paris.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ClZSCqWvkBX/?hl=en
Fans soon called her out and demanded that she stop endorsing the company.
“We love you but burn that balenciaga!!!! ????????????????????????????????????????????,” wrote one fan, via Page Six.
“@teresagiudice I love you but please do not endorse this brand. You’ll see why, it’s disturbing,” said another.
“Love you Tre but take off that sweater girl!” wrote a different user.
“Balenciaga…GREAT, another person to unfollow! You do realize there are normalizing child bondage, right? Are you ok with that? Shameful! UN FOLLOW! [sic],” another fan added.
According to the outlet, Teresa and Luis have not spoken out amid the controversy.
Kim Kardashian, who was a huge promoter of the brand, was previously silent on the matter even as fans called for her to address the issue.
However, the star broke her silence with a November 27 post on Twitter: “I have been quiet for the past few days, not because I haven’t been shocked 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.”
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.
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) November 27, 2022
The star continued, “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.”
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 Kardashian (@KimKardashian) November 27, 2022
She went on to say, “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.”
Kim also expressed, “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..”
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.
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) November 28, 2022
One photo in a separate Balenciaga campaign allegedly showed a barely hidden court doc related to child pornography laws. Many on social media wonder why this material was allegedly in the campaign, and they are now looking into the company’s purportedly strange history.
According to TMZ, the photographer of the campaign said he had zero control of the pieces on set and was following orders. Balenciaga, however, claims they had no idea the items were staged in such a way, and they’re now suing the set designer and production company. Many on social media believe the company is lying and using the lawsuit as a way to cover itself.