23 January 2024 , 08:21
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Kim Kardashian was very vocal about Balenciaga's bondage scandal last year, but it appears it's all water under the bridge.
The Kardashians star told fans she was "re-evaluating" her relationship with the fashion brand after its strange bondage-themed advertising campaigns featuring children. Kim said she was left "shocked" and "outraged" by the company she'd worked with for years.
But now she's back, working with Balenciaga again, and fans are fuming. She was announced as the brand's latest ambassador in a statement on Monday. "Today, Balenciaga names Kim Kardashian as a new brand ambassador," they shared on Instagram.
READ MORE: Kim Kardashian announced as Balenciaga ambassador after bondage ad scandal
Kim said she was fuming with Balenciaga last year (Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency / SplashNews.com)
She was announced as an ambassador on Monday (Kimkardashian/Instagram)Some Kardashian-Jenner fans haven't taken the news well, with Kim being called "hypocritical" and "truly disgusting" for accepting a brand deal, thought to be worth millions of dollars. "Lmao. Kim Kardashian’s is back at Balenciaga after that big statement she put out after the ad controversy. These people," one wrote on X, formally Twitter.
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Another penned: "So Kim Kardashian just was name Balenciaga new brand ambassador to already be a billionaire and take money from that company KNOWN what they did and she was one of the people who spoke out against them is the crazy part," as they added on the social media site, "but it says a lot about her character."
"Kim Kardashian being Balenciaga’s new brand ambassador isn’t as shocking to me. These celebrities don’t have any type of morals or principles. As if people forgot about all the weird s**t that brand does and stands for. Truly disgusting," wrote a third.
On Monday, Kim reshared a black and white photo from Balenciaga's page of herself with her hand resting on the side of her face. Kim wore an all-black long sleeve shirt as she pouted for the camera, all her hair cascading down over one shoulder.
Another post she shared had a quote from Kim on it. "For several years now, Balenciaga's designs have been a part of my many looks - and some of my most iconic fashion moments," she's quoted saying.
"This historic fashion house embraces modernity, craftsmanship and takes an innovative approach to design under Demna," she continued, "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."
The brand landed in hot water when their latest campaign featured a child in a bondage-themed photoshoot. In pictures, children held teddy bear bags that were accessorised with bondage gear. Around the kids were documents about a Supreme Court ruling about upholding laws that criminalise the sexual abuse of minors in images.
The brand pulled the photos amid the backlash and issued a statement. "Our plush bear bags should not have been featured with children in this campaign. We have immediately removed the campaign from all platforms," it read, "We apologize for displaying unsettling documents in our campaign."
"We take this matter very seriously and are taking legal action against the parties responsible for creating the set and including unapproved items for our Spring 23 campaign photoshoot," it continued, "We strongly condemn abuse of children in any form. We stand for children safety and well-being."
Kim eventually spoke out about the images, writing in her statement: "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.
She continued: "As a mother of four, I have been shaken by those disturbing images. The safety of children must be held with the highest regard and anything against it should have no place in our society - period. 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."
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