AnnaLynne McCord joins protest against Balenciaga outside LA store after child ... trends now
Outspoken Nip/Tuck star AnnaLynne McCord led a protest against European fashion house Balenciaga after the high end brand controversially featured teddy bears in bondage clothing in an advertising campaign.
Photos obtained by DailyMail.com show McCord, 35, with around a dozen or so other protesters outside one of Balenciaga's flagship stores in Beverly Hills on Saturday. Similar protests took place in New York City and London at the same time.
McCord held a sign with the words: 'Just why??????' written across it against the background of Balenciaga's logo. Other protesters held signs bearing slogans such as: 'Protect our children' and 'Pedophilia is not fashion.'
On Thursday, McCord announced that she would be leading the protest on her Instagram page. She added: 'If you are against sexual exploitation of children and would like to join, we'd love to have you!'
A day later, Balenciaga's creative director and chief executive officer both apologized Friday for an advertising campaign that sparked criticism on social media over accusations that it featured inappropriate imagery involving children.
On Thursday, McCord announced that she would be leading the protest on her Instagram page
McCord issued a call to action this week telling her followers: 'If you are against sexual exploitation of children and would like to join, we'd love to have you!'
Photos obtained by DailyMail.com show McCord, 35, with around a dozen or so other protesters outside one of Balenciaga's flagship stores in Beverly Hills on Saturday
McCord has been open in interviews and on social media about the sexual abuse she suffered as a child
The demonstration, which was supported by the activist group Mom Army, began at 11am local time
According to a post from Mom Army, a total of 20 protests were held in 20 cities on December 3
In September 2019, McCord went public about the sexual abuse she endured as a child in an interview with People.
She said: 'A year ago, I was in treatment for PTSD and memories of child sexual abuse came back for years all the way until I was 11 years. Now I know why this is my life and this is my story because it is so personal to me.'
The demonstration, which was supported by the activist group Mom Army, began at 11am local time. According to a post from Mom Army, a total of 20 protests were held in 20 cities on December 3.
Earlier this week, vandals in Los Angeles targeted the Balenciaga store on Rodeo Drive spray-painting: 'Children r not sexual objects' and 'Not 4 sex' nearby.
While in London, artist Joe Bloggs spray painted the word 'pedophilia' on the windows of the store in the English capital.
Bloggs told Newsweek: 'I did it due to the abhorrent photoshoots Balenciaga did and their associations with various... people including Lotta Volkova.'
Volkova is a designer who is associated with the brand. A spokesperson for Volkova said: 'Lotta Volkova has not worked with Balenciaga or its team since 2018, and she has in no way participated in the brand’s recent Instagram or advertising campaigns.'
Vandalism on an empty store on Rodeo Drive last night in a clear protest against the brand, whose own store is nearby
Earlier this week, Balenciaga dropped its $25million lawsuit against a Brooklyn production company that it claimed was responsible for part of the child imagery scandal it is now drowning in after being widely panned by celebrities.
The fashion house announced on Friday that it was no longer seeking action against North Six, the production company that it said was responsible for child porn legal documents ending up in its July photoshoot.
The decision came after widespread backlash from the fashion industry and celebrities including Yolanda Hadid and Martha Hunt, who said it was trying to shift the blame onto a third party production company to avoid embarrassment.
'Balenciaga has decided not to pursue litigation,' the brand said on Friday in an Instagram post where it said it would create an image oversight board.
Meanwhile on social media, disenchanted consumers are burning their Balenciaga goods in protest
The fashion house has however stopped short of firing Demna, the creative director responsible for a different, controversial photoshoot involving children.
He issued a statement on Friday promising to 'do better' and vowing to work with children's protection organizations.
'I need to learn from this, listen and engage with child protection organizations to know how I can contribute and help on this terrible subject.
'I apologize to anyone offended by the visuals and Balenciaga has guaranteed that adequate measures will be taken not only to avoid similar mistakes in the future but also to take accountability in protecting child welfare in every way we can,' he said.
At the start of the
