The photographer who shot one of several controversial Balenciaga ads, which featured teddy bears in BDSM gear modeled by children, has spoken out about the campaign.
On Wednesday morning, Gabriele Galimberti issued a statement on Instagram after the inappropriate ad was pulled by the fashion company.
“Following the hundreds of hate mails and messages I received as a result of the photos I took for the Balenciaga campaign, I feel compelled to make this statement,” Galimberti wrote. “I am not in a position to comment [on] Balenciaga’s choices, but I must stress that I was not entitled in whatsoever manner to neither choose the products, nor the models, nor the combination of the same.”
Galimberti explained that he was only given permission to light the prepared scene and shoot in his “signature style,” noting that “As usual for a commercial shooting, the direction of the campaign and the choice of the objects displayed are not in the hands of the photographer.”
The ad was quickly met with harsh criticism, as many alleged that the fashion house was normalizing sexual fetishizations and abuse of children.
An eagle-eyed social media watchdog pointed out another ad that showed legal documents from a Supreme Court case that had to do with federal laws regarding child pornography.
“I suspect that any person prone to pedophilia searches on the web and has unfortunately a too easy access to images completely different than mine, absolutely explicit in their awful content,” Galimberti said.
Galimberti also explained, “I have no connection with the photo where a Supreme Court document appears. That one was taken in another set by other people and was falsely associated with my photos.” The statement seemingly confirms that the document was an image of a Supreme Court case, believed to be United States v. Williams, which upheld part of a child pornography law.
Galimberti said that the “Lynching” he had received, and others like it, are “addressed against wrong targets, and distract from the real problem, and criminals.”
Balenciaga quickly pulled the controversial ads and apologized for the disturbing photos.
A spokesperson for the brand told the New York Post, “We sincerely apologize for any offense our holiday campaign may have caused. Our plush bear bags should not have been featured with children in this campaign. We have immediately removed the campaign from all platforms.”
Balenciaga also posted an Instagram story before Galimberti’s statement, saying, “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. We strongly condemn abuse of children in any form. We stand for children safety and well-being.”
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.