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Lifestyle
Carl W Jones, Course Leader & Senior Lecturer, School of Media and Communication, University of Westminster

Balenciaga’s controversial new campaign and the long history of 'shockvertising'

A Balenciaga billboard in Seoul, South Korea. Shutterstock

Kim Kardashian is refining her personal brand. Right-wing news outlet Fox TV is gaining viewers through attention-grabbing headlines. Photographer Gabriele Galimberti is gaining notoriety. All this is due to a recent advertising campaign from leading global fashion brand Balenciaga that has caused widespread controversy.

One photograph shows a child in a string vest holding a bondage gear-clad teddy bear. Another shows a handbag resting on paperwork about child abuse. Balenciaga responded to the backlash to its campaign by issuing an apology that blamed the set designers and photographers for the uncomfortable messages. It has also filed a US$25 million lawsuit against the campaign’s producers.

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