Balenciaga apologises for bondage bear advert involving child

I think they view people talking about paedophilia in terms of, in some cases, there being something concerted behind the scenes is most likely a moral panic which is probably being exploited by the Right and then their critical thinking fails them.

as soon as they scent that the Right is annoyed about something, they will reflexively look to undermine the line taken by the Right

I enjoy B&R - I used to have a paid subscription - but they have a blasé and attitude to anything involving pedophilia. I think they think they are sophisticated and open-minded by refusing to fall for moral panics - but it’s just irritatingly naive. I stopped subscribing after they talked about Prostasia on one episode and they took the Prostasia website blurb at face value - oh this is an support organisation to help pedophiles not offend, what’s wrong with that?

They are both pretty good journalists so I don’t know why they have this blind spot but it seems they have almost deliberately cultivated it.

Did I say B&R are on the left?

Really? I would say Blocked and Reported are quite central in their politics. Ominally liberal, but not captured by the left. I've seen them come down hard on Liberal politics in the US on particular subjects. I like them because they seem to take a sensible, not completely partisan stance on many subjects.

Blocked and Reported discussed this. Apparently a bit dodgy, but no big deal and this kind of shock approach is what's normal for the fashion industry.

www.blockedandreported.org/p/episode-142-ye-has-his-mask-on-moment (after 9 minutes in)

I love some of the work they do, particularly Jesse Singal, but like many, as soon as they scent that the Right is annoyed about something, they will reflexively look to undermine the line taken by the Right rather than think carefully about what's actually in front of them.

If I was him I'd sue if only to create distance and show my complete disavowal of being in agreement with Balenciaga's values, as well as to save my reputation and reimbursement for loss of future work. He'd be a fool not to sue.

The photographer of the children with the bdsm bears not the kiddie porn documents complaining in the Guardian. He's received the usual vile threats. He says it's cost him work. I wonder if he's setting out his store for a lawsuit.

www.theguardian.com/fashion/2022/dec/09/photographer-death-threats-balenciaga-sm-teddy-campaign-gabriele-galimberti

Thanks, I read it. Awful. Children in refugee camps having to dance for celebrity ambassadors?? Disgusting. As a refugee child, she didn't even receive basic stuff like pens and books from Unicef. Wow.

Halima Aden was a refugee turned model turned goodwill ambassador and heer take on it (probably as someone who experienced the other end) is interesting (and not that positive) www.bbc.com/news/stories-55653029
Also talks about the pressures on young girls from the fashion industry, (although I felt a bit uncomfortable that she seemed to imply it was bad only when it involved underage hijabi wearing girls. That was likely just the way it came across in interview though not what she meant from other stuff she's said.)

Mind you thinking about it now, 50 cent is more qualified due to diverse life experience than someone like Emma.

No. But then half the celebrities recruited by the UN are not qualified for the role imo. I read once that the UN recruits people who are high profile and have influence particularly on young people. Especially young people abroad.

Media people who star in kids films have reach. If they're famous enough even very poor children in poorer economic countries will recognise them and listen to them.

Angelina Jolie sahd she would turn up in in some poor region of Brazil and the young people would run to her saying 'Lara Croft is here'

It's highly dubious recruiting. I remember being stunned when 50 Cent became an ambassador.

She's not naïve. She's a political activist. She knows exactly what this is about.

Watching people who are always apparently on the 'right side of history' stay completely silent on this, because to speak out would put them on the 'same side' as Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Darren Grimes etc is absolutely sickening.

If Emma is 'naive' should she be in UN Ambassador role?

I believe Emma is just naive. A good safe upbringing, steered into a high profile career early, wealthy in her right before she had even matured as a woman.....she is just incredibly fortunate and buffered from the ugly side of life. Many women with less advantage are similarly, happily blind.

I mean how often does some woman come along on FWR questioning why on earth women are making a fuss about men being in women's toilets? Same thing.

Yes, the Prada advert she's currently starring in was also directed by her.

Not surprised EW with her love and protection for Mermaids!

As in Harry Potter Emma Watson?
Or a different one?

I knew she modelled but not directed etc

That Prada advert I mentioned in a pp - the one with the bluish triangular spiral staircase that remind me of one of the FBI's paedo signals - was directed by and stars Emma Watson.

She's been groomed. The photos of her looking like a teenage boy are part of it.

Silence is complicity.

Wtf is wrong with Emma Watson?? I don't believe for one minute that she is a pedophile, so why does she not have to courage to distance herself from this kind of shite?

Unsurprisingly the fashion industry are closing ranks. The London Fashion Awards still have Denma as one of the nominees tonight, no mention in the papers of the bondage bears, several documents relating to paedophile or the images of sad, posed children across the campaign. Yesterday's news it seems.

Yesterday in the Mail, Alexandra Shulman (former editor of UK Vogue), whilst admitting that the images were "distasteful" maintains that there have been endless examples of fashion designers using disturbing images to draw attention to their work. (Oh well, that's alright then, ) but that in today’s more puritanical era, Demna is now on the rack. She ends by questioning whether the current knee-jerk, angry clamour – with society so terribly enthusiastic in the rush to pull the trigger – is a good thing.

???? WTAF - beggars belief. Mob fury and a witch hunt against poor Denma - boo hoo!
www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-11499581/ALEXANDRA-SHULMANS-NOTEBOOK-Mob-fury-fashion-industry-rage.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

Oops sorry missed PP

Well isn't that interesting