Balenciaga ‘Decided Not To Pursue Litigation’ Against Production Company Behind Questionable Ad Campaign

Balenciaga announced on Friday that it is dropping the $25 million lawsuit against the producers of a questionable ad campaign that caused the brand to receive severe backlash.

The luxury fashion house filed suit a week earlier against North Six and set designer Nicholas Des Jardins after an ad campaign for its 2023 spring collection featured documents from a Supreme Court case pertaining to child pornography. The controversial ad was widely criticized for being inappropriate.

But on Friday, attorneys for Balenciaga filed a notice of discontinuance in New York. In a statement made by the brand on Friday, CEO Cedric Charbit said, “Balenciaga has decided not to pursue litigation.”

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The brand received further backlash for a second campaign that featured children alongside teddy bears wearing bondage gear. Celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, publicly spoke out against the brand and campaign following the ad’s release.

Following the backlash, Balenciaga removed the ads and apologized. 

“We sincerely apologize for any offense our holiday campaign may have caused,” wrote in the apology. “Our plush bear bags should not have been featured with children in this campaign.”