Balenciaga Is Suing The Producers Of Their Controversial Bondage Bear Campaign & The Reason Is Shocking

There’s a new development over Balenciaga‘s controversial campaign.

If you missed it, the fashion house issued an apology over their new campaign which was promoting their new bear backpacks that were dressed in what appeared to bondage.

In its original press release, the company said that the line featured “dozens of new products ranging from homeware, petwear and scent, from everyday items to limited-edition collectibles and bespoke furniture.”

Balenciaga did share an apology over the campaign, too, writing: “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. We strongly condemn abuse of children in any form. We stand for children safety and well-being.”

Now, it seems that the company is suing the producers over the imagery. Here’s the reason:

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According to the NY Post, Balenciaga has filed a $25 million lawsuit against the producers of the ad campaign, North Six, Inc. and set designer Nicholas Des Jardins for one particular image, which included a shot of a handbag with a page from a 2008 SCOTUS ruling (United States v. Williams) upholding the promotion or advertisement of child pornography as a federal crime not protected by free speech.

The fashion house stepped forward with the case “to seek redress for extensive damages defendants caused in connection with an advertising campaign Balenciaga hired them to produce,” the Manhattan Supreme Court summons alleges.

Balenciaga claims North Six and Des Jardins included the images of the court docs without its knowledge – which was “malevolent or, at the very least, extraordinarily reckless,” the filing states.

“As a result of Defendants’ misconduct, members of the public, including the news media, have falsely and horrifically associated Balenciaga with the repulsive and deeply disturbing subject of the court decision,” the court papers add. “Defendants are liable to Balenciaga for all harm resulting from this false association.”

If you didn’t see, find out what the photographer of the campaign said.