Kim Kardashian Addresses Balenciaga’s BDSM Child Ad
Kim Kardashian says she is “re-evaluating” her working relationship with Balenciaga. This comes after the luxury fashion house featured disturbing images of children posing with teddy bears in bondage in…
Kim Kardashian attends the 11th Annual LACMA Art + Film Gala at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesKim Kardashian says she is "re-evaluating" her working relationship with Balenciaga. This comes after the luxury fashion house featured disturbing images of children posing with teddy bears in bondage in its latest advertising campaign. The SKKN founder, who has been an ambassador for the fashion label, broke her silence Sunday (November 27) after folks on social media called her out to denounce the brand. Kim, 42, wrote on her social media accounts: "I have been quiet the past few days, not because I haven't been disgusted 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 went on to say that as a mother of four, she was left "shaken by the disturbing images." She continued, "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 noted that she spoke with the company and that she believed they understood the seriousness of the issue and will take the "necessary measures for this to never happen again." In a follow-up Story one hour later, the Skims founder added: "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."
Kardashian's statement comes days after Balenciaga pulled the controversial campaign, shot by photographer Gabriele Galimberti and part of a project called "Toy Stories," and posted an apology on its Instagram page (now removed). "We sincerely apologize for any offense our holiday campaign may have caused," the statement said. "Our plush bear bags should not have been featured with children in this campaign. We have immediately removed the campaign from all platforms." Galimberti told CNN in a statement Wednesday that the direction and shooting of the "Toy Stories" campaign was out of his hands, claiming he was "not entitled in whatsoever manner to neither chose (sic) the products, nor the models, nor the combination of the same." Balenciaga issued a further statement on Instagram apologizing for displaying "unsettling documents," after a separate campaign featuring documents from a United States Supreme Court case relating to child pornography laws went viral. The company added that it planned to take "legal action against the parties responsible for creating the set and including unapproved items." Galimberti said he had "no connection with the photo where a Supreme Court document appears."
March 8th is International Women’s Day, and in a world where women are still fighting for equality, the event remains as important today as it was back in 1975 when it started. The theme for IWD 2022 is #BreakTheBias, and it’s all about "imagining a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination." Time2play surveyed 1,600 women in the US to learn more about who American women think will make the most significant impact in 2022. So which women will be the most influential in America this year? Check out the results below:
10. Simone Biles -- 3%
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images24-year-old Simone Biles is the most accomplished American gymnast in history with four-time Olympic gold wins.
These Are The 10 Most Influential Women In 2022
9. Queen Elizabeth II -- 3%
Joe Giddens - by WPA Pool/Getty ImagesThe Queen has ruled for longer than any other Monarch in British history, becoming a much loved and respected figure across the globe. At 95 years old, she is known for her sense of duty and her devotion to a life of service as an important figurehead for the UK and the Commonwealth during times of enormous social change.
These Are The 10 Most Influential Women In 2022
8. Kim Kardashian -- 4%
Pietro S. D'Aprano/Getty ImagesWith her high-profile divorce from Kanye West ongoing, the SKIMS founder, 41, has maintained great composure in handling her private affairs while keeping up with her businesses.
These Are The 10 Most Influential Women In 2022
7. Jill Biden -- 5%
Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesNot only is she First Lady of the United States, but Jill Biden, 70, is also a community college educator and bestselling author. She is the first presidential spouse to maintain an independent career outside of the White House.
These Are The 10 Most Influential Women In 2022
6. Taylor Swift -- 6%
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty ImagesThe 32-year-old singer-songwriter has never been afraid to show exactly how she's feeling though her music. Exes fear her, but her fans praise her.
These Are The 10 Most Influential Women In 2022
5. Greta Thunberg -- 6%
Peter Summers/Getty ImagesThe Swedish environmental activist known for challenging world leaders to take immediate action for climate change mitigation is now 19-years-old -- can you believe it? Thunberg's activism began when she persuaded her parents to adopt lifestyle choices that reduced their own carbon footprint.
These Are The 10 Most Influential Women In 2022
4. Oprah Winfrey -- 8%
Steve Jennings/Getty ImagesYou can't possibly list influential women and not have Oprah on it! Dubbed the "Queen of All Media," she was the richest African-American of the 20th century, was once the world's only black billionaire and the greatest black philanthropist in U.S. history. By 2007, she was often ranked as the most influential woman in the world.
These Are The 10 Most Influential Women In 2022
3. Michelle Obama -- 14%
Jack Taylor/Getty ImagesBesides serving as the first African-American woman to be First Lady of the United States from when Barack was in office, Michelle, 58, is an attorney and author. She serves as a role model for women and worked as an advocate for poverty awareness, education, nutrition, physical activity, and healthy eating. Michele also supports American designers and is considered a fashion icon.
These Are The 10 Most Influential Women In 2022
2. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez -- 17%
Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesAOC has served as the U.S. representative for New York's 14th congressional district since 2019 as a member of the Democratic Party. Taking office at age 29, AOC is the youngest woman ever to serve in the United States Congress. She has been noted for her substantial social media presence... especially relative to her fellow members of Congress.
These Are The 10 Most Influential Women In 2022
1. Kamala Harris -- 34%
Anna Moneymaker/Getty ImagesKamala Harris, 57, is the first female vice president and the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, as well as the first Black American and first South Asian American vice president.
These Are The 10 Most Influential Women In 2022
