Kim Kardashian becomes Balenciaga's brand ambassador two years after fashion label's controversy

Jay Stahl, USA TODAY
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After Kim Kardashian cut ties with Balenciaga in 2022 following backlash in response to a campaign depicting children in questionable light, the beauty brand billionaire is now the face of the luxury fashion house.

"The Kardashians" star, who has worn the Balenciaga to the Met Gala and walked in one of their Paris Fashion Week shows, was named brand ambassador of the longstanding French fashion house Monday.

"For several years now, Balenciaga's designs have been a part of my many looks – and some of my most iconic fashion moments. This historic fashion house embraces modernity, craftsmanship and takes an innovative approach to design under Demna," Kardashian said Monday in a statement shared on her Instagram Story.

"For me, this long-standing relationship is built on mutual trust and a commitment to doing what's right. I'm excited about this next chapter for the brand and to become their ambassador," Kardashian continued.

Kim Kardashian for Balenciaga in a past fashion campaign. The reality TV star cut ties with the French fashion house in Nov. 2022, after a controversial campaign inappropriately depicting children, before reuniting with the brand in January as their newest ambassador.
Kim Kardashian for Balenciaga in a past fashion campaign. The reality TV star cut ties with the French fashion house in Nov. 2022, after a controversial campaign inappropriately depicting children, before reuniting with the brand in January as their newest ambassador.

The news comes two years after Kardashian cut ties with Balenciaga in Nov. 2022 and released a statement on a company campaign, which drew widespread criticism for referencing child pornography and featuring child models alongside fetish imagery.

More: Balenciaga outlines organizational changes after campaign backlash, 'outraged' Kim Kardashian

The media mogul and mom of four said she was "shaken" by the campaign's "disturbing images."

"I have been quiet for the past few days, not because I haven't been disgusted 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," Kardashian wrote at the time. "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 Kardashian, pictured at the SKIMS flagship store on Nov. 7, 2023, a year after she cut ties with Balenciaga for their controversial campaign involving inappropriate depictions of children.
Kim Kardashian, pictured at the SKIMS flagship store on Nov. 7, 2023, a year after she cut ties with Balenciaga for their controversial campaign involving inappropriate depictions of children.

"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," she continued.

Balenciaga co-founder also addressed the campaign in a separate statement on Instagram at the time.

"As much as I would sometimes like to provoke a thought through my work, I would NEVER have an intention to do that with such an awful subject as child abuse that I condemn," he said in part in a statement posted to Instagram.

Kardashian added at the time that she planned to reevaluate her professional relationship with Balenciaga.

Contributing: Edward Segarra

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kim Kardashian named Balenciaga ambassador after campaign backlash