Who is Gabriele Galimberti? Photographer behind Balenciaga’s disgusting campaign inspired by his 'Toy Stories' series
The global fashion brand Balenciaga’s recent campaign for the “Balenciaga Objects” line received heavy backlash after the brand featured children in a somewhat “obscene” way. At first glance, the ad campaign might come across as cute and innocent, but on closer observation, the ad's “BDSM-esque” theme seems quite controversial. The campaign featured children holding the brand’s “Plush Bear Bags,” which resemble teddy bears clad in “bondage gear.” The photoshoot for the campaign also included a hidden document about “virtual child porn” among NSFW-looking accessories and trinkets.
The campaign launch resulted in quite an uproar on the internet as many slammed the fashion house for its “deviant” behavior by sexualizing young children. While the outrage did result in the brand releasing an official apology on its Instagram page, netizens were not convinced. From bashing the celebrities that endorsed the brand to demanding to know who was responsible for such an unethical campaign, people online rallied against Balenciaga with all their might. The brand has not revealed the identities of the creators behind the controversial ad, but it is known that Italian photographer Gabriele Galimberti photographed the campaign titled "Balenciaga Gift Shop."
