Kim Kardashian was featured in a Balenciaga campaign for the first time after refusing to cut ties with the brand following last year’s pedophilia scandal which rocked the fashion world.
The 42-year-old SKIMS mogul was one of the models showcasing the Summer 2024 collection for the Paris-based fashion brand as she showcased her signature curves in a black latex dress.
It is interesting to note, however, that Kim did not rock the runway or even sit front row at Balenciaga’s Paris Fashion Week show which was attended by her mother Kris Jenner and longtime pal Paris Hilton.
Nylon France contributing editor Louis Pisano explained the reality star’s absence as they wrote in X (formally Twitter): ‘Re. Kim Kardashian at Balenciaga: Demnagram just told me at the afterparty Kim is actually not not in Paris anymore, she left after VB show & party and they just shot her for the lookbook since she wasn’t here.’
Kim had attended pal Victoria Beckham’s Paris Fashion Week Show on Friday where she was accused of ‘snubbing’ Vogue editor Anna Wintour despite a years-long friendship.
Interesting: Kim Kardashian was featured in a Balenciaga campaign for the first time after refusing to cut ties with the brand following last year’s pedophilia scandal which rocked the fashion world
As for the mother-of-four’s latest campaign with Balenciaga, she was featured in the lookbook wearing a relatively edgy ensemble including a figure-hugging shiny black midi dress featuring an asymmetrical hemline.
She teamed the sleeveless number with a pair of black clinging thigh-high boots as she oddly carried a shimmering silver stiletto heel.
Her signature raven-colored locks were wet and worn down in a middle-part as she wore minimal make-up in nude tones to accentuate her looks.
In November 2022, Kim had refused to cut ties with Balenciaga, despite a controversy that saw the company linked to a shoot that placed children alongside BDSM-themed items.
Kardashian, who has been in business with the company for several years spoke out days after it had already apologized for the scandal.
The reality TV star said that while she was ‘shaken’ and ‘disgusted’ to see the images in the controversial ad campaign, she had wanted to speak with officials at the designer to understand how it came to be.
Clearly embarrassed by their ill-judged campaign, Balenciaga took the drastic step of wiping its social media pages clean.
‘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,’ the Los Angeles-born celebrity said in a statement on her Instagram page at the time.
Hmm: It is interesting to note, however, that Kim did not rock the runway or even sit front row at Balenciaga’s Paris Fashion Week show which was attended by her mother Kris Jenner (left) and longtime pal Paris Hilton
Awkward! Kim had attended pal Victoria Beckham’s Paris Fashion Week Show on Friday where she was accused of ‘snubbing’ Vogue editor Anna Wintour despite a years-long friendship
Simply stunning: As for the mother-of-four’s latest campaign with Balenciaga, she was featured in the lookbook wearing a relatively edgy ensemble including a figure-hugging shiny black midi dress featuring an asymmetrical hemline
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.’
She subsequently reissued the statement that saw some of the wording changed using stronger language adding: ‘any attempts to normalize child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society – period.’
However, on balance, Kardashian said that she is comfortable with how the company reacted to the scandal.
‘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.’
In an additional post, to both Instagram and Twitter, Kardashian said she was reconsidering her relationship with the fashion brand but had not yet many any firm decisions.
‘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 was often seen wearing Balenciaga to major events and has featured in several of the brand’s campaigns in the past.
Essentially the fashion face of the company, Kardashian is Balenciaga’s biggest supporter and the brand’s most famous model, appearing to walk on water in the fashion house’s fall 2022 campaign.
Made a stand: In November 2022, Kim had refused to cut ties with Balenciaga, despite a controversy that saw the company linked to a shoot that placed children alongside BDSM-themed items; she is seen in Paris on Friday
The reality TV star said that while she was ‘shaken’ and ‘disgusted’ to see the images in the controversial ad campaign, she had wanted to speak with officials at the designer to understand how it came to be as she posted this statement in November 2022
She subsequently issued a second statement that changed some of the wording, noting that ‘any attempts to normalize child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society – period’
In an additional post, this time to both Twitter and Instagram, Kardashian said she was reconsidering her relationship with the fashion brand
She was famously introduced to Balenciaga Creative Director Demna Gvasalia by her ex, Kanye West with the couple’s daughters also sporting the brand, too, having recently been spotted carrying four-figure bags from the brand.
She acknowledge the role her ex-husband had played in the relationship in December 2021 as she spoke at the People’s Choice Awards where she accepted an award for fashion.
‘To Kanye, for really introducing me to the fashion world,’ she said. ‘I fell in love with fashion and I’m so inspired by so many people. But again, this is like a dream that I get to wake up and wear these amazing clothes and try new things and take a risk. I’m so humbled.’
