Balenciaga controversy leads to lawsuit and Kim Kardashian 're-evaluating' ties

A 2020 file image shows Kim Kardashian attending the Vanity Fair Oscar Party. Photo: AFP

Reality show star and social media titan Kim Kardashian said she is "re-evaluating" her involvement with luxury fashion house Balenciaga, after it apologised for ads featuring children holding teddy bears wearing what critics called bondage gear.

The French brand, part of the luxury Kering group, last week withdrew the photos from the Spring/Summer 2023 advertising campaign. Two of them showed young children holding handbags in the shape of teddy bears, which were wearing black leather straps with silver studs.