Friday 25 November 2022 10:53 AM Father of British child model who posed in bondage-themed Balenciaga campaign ... trends now
The father of a British child model who posed clutching X-rated teddy bears wearing bondage gear for Balenciaga's BDSM-themed fashion shoot today defended the warped campaign – saying his daughter had a 'fantastic time' posing for the photographs.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, the father said he was present at the shoot, which was 'an enjoyable day out' – and insisted the bizarre pictures had been taken 'totally out of context'.
'No parent would actively encourage the child to take part in something which was pornographic, and I think the publicity surrounding what happened has been blown out of all proportion,' he said.
The cuddly toys featured in the Christmas campaign are scantily clad wearing S&M-style harnesses with chains and studs – to promote the designer's 'plush bear' handbag collection – prompting calls for a boycott on social media.
The anonymous father of a British child model who posed clutching X-rated teddy bears wearing bondage gear for Balenciaga's BDSM-themed fashion shoot today defended the warped campaign. Pictured: One of the children in the campaign
Fashion brand Balenciaga has recently apologised for what many believe is a photoshoot that amounts to child pornography, with two young girls holding a teddy bear dressed in a BDSM outfit. Pictured: One of the children in the campaign
Balenciaga – popular with A-list stars Kim Kardashian, Bella Hadid and Nicole Kidman – issued a full apology for the campaign, saying it 'strongly' condemned child abuse in all forms.
The Spanish fashion house and photographer Gabriele Galimberti faced a furious backlash but the father of one of the child models has now defended the shoot.
He said Galimberti was 'innocent' of any wrongdoing and revealed the models were all children of Balenciaga employees who were at the shoot and had approved the campaign.
Speaking anonymously, he said: 'I feel desperately sorry for Gabriele, this had nothing directly to do with him and he was merely taking the photographs as requested by Balenciaga. The parents of the children were at the shoot and they approved of what took place.
Italian photographer Gabriele Galimberti took the shots of children holding a teddy bear dressed in a BDSM outfit that outraged hundreds of people online. The father of one of the girls said he feels 'desperately sorry' for him
'Gabriele is an accomplished photographer and no way does he deserve the abuse he has been getting, the parents all knew what they were doing and the
