Nicole Kidman Debuts As New Balenciaga Ambassador In A Slimming Black Dress—But Fans Haven’t Forgotten About That Problematic Ad

The buzz for Balenciaga reached new heights in Los Angeles as A-listers gathered to mingle for the fashion house’s Fall 2024 collection. The star-studded event saw Nicole Kidman steal the spotlight in a stunning black double-breasted midi dress, accentuated with gloves, sheer stockings, and the sleek elegance of pointed-toe Knife pumps.

The Lion star‘s ensemble was a symphony of style, complemented by the addition of dark sunglasses, pearl teardrop earrings, and a chic leather clutch. Amidst the sea of black, her luscious blonde locks cascaded with grace, styled impeccably in a straight middle part, offering a striking contrast to her monochromatic attire.

Embracing her natural beauty, the Bewitched actress opted for a minimalist approach to makeup, concluding her look with a touch of nude pink lip that added a subtle finishing touch to her glamorous appearance. The event not only showcased Balenciaga’s avant-garde creations but also served as a glamorous stage for celebrities to flaunt their sartorial prowess.

Nicole Kidman Becomes Balenciaga's New Ambassador

To add to Nicole's excitement for the event, Balenciaga proudly introduced the Australian actress as its latest ambassador.

The fashion brand announced a significant step in its connection with the Academy-Award winning star, as they embark on future professional collaborations which we can't wait to see!

The Eyes Wide Shut alum said: “Balenciaga has been with me through some of the most memorable events in my life, from my wedding to the Oscars red carpet." The mother of two wasn't the sole A-lister present; front row sightings included Kim Kardashian, Eva Longoria, Kendall Jenner, Salma Hayek, who arrived alongside her French husband François-Henri Pinault, who serves as the chairman and CEO of the luxury fashion group Kering, the parent company of Balenciaga.

Adding to the surprising star-studded spectacle, Cardi B took center stage on the runway, confidently striding down the scene in a striking floor-length fuzzy coat and shocking thin eyebrows, truly embodying Balenciaga's wow-factor.

Nicole Kidman Receives Backlash For Attending Balenciaga Show

Now that all the fun news is set in place, no celebrity affair comes without its share of criticism.

If you recall, the controversy surrounding Balenciaga started last year in November, when it launched a "Gift Collection" holiday campaign posted on their official social media accounts. The photoshoots saw young children holding teddy bears adorned with accessories that appeared to exploit their innocence.

Social media users were outraged at the brand, with many accusing Balenciaga of exploiting minors. In response, Balenciaga's creative director, Demna Gvasalia, issued an official apology and the controversial advertisement was promptly removed from social media.

But despite an apology and taking down the photos, large groups of consumers continue to boycott the brand even today. And it seems that many of them flocked to Nicole's Instagram account to show their discontent with the actress's decision to work with the brand.

"No. You too. Did you forget? This designer has been cancelled. They promote ads the public didn’t want. It was wrong," said one user.

Another user wrote, "Bad choice Nicole!!! Do better!!!" One fan pointed out the vibes from Nicole's outfit choice: "Very dark and creepy!"

One user wrote, "[the controversy] was over a year ago - assuming 'cancelling' a brand is a real thing, exactly how long is it supposed to last?" to which another fan replied: "I don't think it was ever canceled. Celebrities still supported the brand."