Demna Gvasalia - Designer, Creative Director of Balenciaga

[Deleted member 7575]

Here's some much needed perspective from the parents of the children who were photographed:

Balenciaga campaign: Father of British child model defends bondage-themed photoshoot | Daily Mail Online

 

[LadyJunon]

To be honest, the company restructuring says more than enough. BOF and WWD did say something about Balenciaga for not taking responsibility and Vogue made a slightly snarky article about Demna courting controversy. I think that Kering will probably wrap up his tenure in the following year and if Demna does stay, he definitely won't continue to have carte blanche like he's had from his arrival at Balenciaga.

This time around, he won't be able to pull a Ghesquiére and cry that Kering was restricting his creativity for profit and he's too radical and weird for LVMH to touch with a five foot pole.

 

[Bugsy]

Who would ever wear their clothes after this? Sick!

 

[RosesAreRed]

He is now dropped from British Fashion Awards that are on Monday. He was originally up for Best designer nomination… But not anymore.

 

[GERGIN]

He is now dropped from British Fashion Awards that are on Monday. He was originally up for Best designer nomination… But not anymore.

Mwahahahaha!!!

 

[Salvatore]

Is this the shift in fashion we have all been waiting for ? Will this lead to less controversial and disruptive hires in the future as well as less stunt and gimmicky fashion ? I hope so !

 

[rip_ian curtis]

Is this the shift in fashion we have all been waiting for ? Will this lead to less controversial and disruptive hires in the future as well as less stunt and gimmicky fashion ? I hope so !

It will lead to more Maria Grazias being hired to replace the controversy.

 

[Salvatore]

It will lead to more Maria Grazias being hired to replace the controversy.

I dislike her work immensely, but I’ll take it over the hypebeast and streetwear moment we’ve been in for ages.

 

[Caffeine]

To be fair, that's a NYP article - not the most credible as they rely on shock factor. Now, if WDD or BOF (with a grain of salt of course since LVMH funds BOF to some level) publishes something, then that would be a warning sign.

FWIW NYP is actually a reliable source for business news. Many companies and funds use it as their tip line to get info out. The business section has first reported many big moves.

This particular piece however is in the fashion section, so I don't believe it shares the same editorial standard...

 

[Caffeine]

People are accusing anyone even remotely associated with the brand as pedophiles and groomers- yes, those in charge of the ads made a horrible choice but let's not equate that with actual pedophilia; I was a victim of child abuse, I know exactly what that word actually means and its upsetting to see people throw those type of accusations to anyone so nonchalantly. People are not only going after the team, but also terrorizing people who do not work for them anymore like Lotta, celebrities who once worked with them and random customers who tagged them on instagram- some of whom don't even know about the ad. The fact that Im hesitant to wear my balenciaga sneakers in fear of being called a child groomer or enabler sounds a lot like a witch hunt and not simply holding a brand accountable.

I think your blame is misplaced. You should blame Balenciaga for putting you in this position, not the normies who are disgusted by the ads. I still have many Nicholas's pieces and this hurts me too. It's Demna who ruined it, so he should pack his bags and leave.

Please God return Balenciaga to the old Glory.

 

[Deleted member 7575]

I dislike her work immensely, but I’ll take it over the hypebeast and streetwear moment we’ve been in for ages.

Amen

 

[Deleted member 7575]

Is this the shift in fashion we have all been waiting for ? Will this lead to less controversial and disruptive hires in the future as well as less stunt and gimmicky fashion ? I hope so !

People just need to do their jobs.

The head of marketing should have vetoed the campaign concept before production even began and if he got pushback from Demna then the head of PR should have supported him. And if they got pushback then the CEO should have intervened and shut it down. Period.

This is marketing and management 101.

This is a total failure in leadership and it's going to cost them.

A very close friend is a Balenciaga fan. Like me, he doesn't think either campaigns are such a big deal. He'll still wear his Balenciaga pieces but he will not buy anymore, and he was right about to before this whole thing erupted!

I am sure this is a common story and perhaps even more severe for those who were actually offended.

Eyes, ears and wallets will be turning away from the brand at least for the duration of the winter season.

But that is enough time for attentions to wander and allegiances to drift. If and when they do emerge from this, it could easily be too late. They could very well find themselves demode.

 

[RosesAreRed]

Remember this show? Go to 4:48 and then 5:52...

 

[LadyJunon]

I dislike her work immensely, but I’ll take it over the hypebeast and streetwear moment we’ve been in for ages.

The most frustrating part about Maria is that she's such a interesting and cool person in terms of cultural references, but every time I see her clothes I fantasize about the House of Dior burning down.

 

[Deleted member 7575]

Remember this show? Go to 4:48 and then 5:52...

This is worth addressing.

At the time it seemed clever and even beautiful that they were promoting a family to shop and wear Balenciaga.

But now it's part of a much bigger narrative that is a lot more disturbing and uncomfortable.

It's difficult to argue that they did not do any of this intentionally. Harmless? Honestly, yes. But it is gross and completely inappropriate and demands an explanation.

 

[Caffeine]

Harmless? Honestly, yes.

Honestly, who knows. If I were the feds I know where to look. But perhaps I watched too many SVU episodes

 

[Salvatore]

The most frustrating part about Maria is that she's such a interesting and cool person in terms of cultural references, but every time I see her clothes I fantasize about the House of Dior burning down.

She makes me so mad because how in the hell can you have THE Christian Dior atelier, arguably some of the most skilled artisans, backed by LVMH, the biggest luxury goods group, and she comes up with what she comes up with ?

But at the same time, while her clothes are offendive to my eyes, she is inoffensive as a person and seemingly without real controversy so I’ll take it.

 

[Overindulgence]

This "I'd rather have a MGC if that means fashion stays safe and controversy-less" mentality contributes to why there's no modern day equivalent of Alexander McQueen, Galliano, even Miuccia Prada. Sure, the market and conglomerates are part of the main reason - but this desire for things for fashion to just feel safe doesn't exactly help. Where's the fun in not having some controversy from time to time? Even if it's all surface level, superficial shock value (which Balenciaga has relied on).

I read on another thread, I believe it was the Michele exiting Gucci one, that someone would prefer a MGC because she just stays in her lane and makes inoffensive clothes for women. Did people forget the abomination that was the mini house dress from the F/W 2019 couture collection? Though frankly, that was one of the most interesting risks of her tenure yet.

 

[Caffeine]

This "I'd rather have a MGC if that means fashion stays safe and controversy-less" mentality contributes to why there's no modern day equivalent of Alexander McQueen, Galliano, even Miuccia Prada. Sure, the market and conglomerates are part of the main reason - but this desire for things for fashion to just feel safe doesn't exactly help. Where's the fun in not having some controversy from time to time? Even if it's all surface level, superficial shock value (which Balenciaga has relied on).

I read on another thread, I believe it was the Michele exiting Gucci one, that someone would prefer a MGC because she just stays in her lane and makes inoffensive clothes for women. Did people forget the abomination that was the mini house dress from the F/W 2019 couture collection? Though frankly, that was one of the most interesting risks of her tenure yet.

Can we please not normalize pedo material? The late McQueen and Prada have never done anything remotely close.

 

[Caffeine]

She makes me so mad because how in the hell can you have THE Christian Dior atelier, arguably some of the most skilled artisans, backed by LVMH, the biggest luxury goods group, and she comes up with what she comes up with ?

But at the same time, while her clothes are offendive to my eyes, she is inoffensive as a person and seemingly without real controversy so I’ll take it.

I mean, I agree with you and doesn't it also show how low the standard has become?