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Kim Kardashian models for Balenciaga for first time since BDSM ad controversy

Kim Kardashian is back in Balenciaga.

The reality star and businesswoman, 42, was featured in a lookbook shot for the luxury brand’s summer 2024 collection Sunday, less than one year after the brand found itself in hot water over an ad that seemingly featured children modeling bondage-themed accessories.

Kardashian’s latest curve-hugging outfit by Balenciaga included its 3D Molded Wet Dress, a damp-looking midi dress that featured a corseted bodice and an asymmetric hemline.

She donned a matching pair of black, skin-tight stiletto boots underneath that didn’t let any skin show.

The “Kardashians” star, 42, styled her black hair in a wet style, parted in the middle and flowed behind her back in loose waves as she posed in front of a red curtain background.

Kardashian finished her look with natural-looking makeup and accessorized with a sparkling high heel she carried in her right hand.

Kardashian previously claimed she was “re-evaluating” her years-long relationship with the brand due to their Nov. 2022 ad controversy.
Jam Press/Balenciaga
Balenciaga featured children holding plush purses that were dressed in what appeared to be bondage-style clothing in ads released in fall 2022, causing immense backlash.
Jam Press/Balenciaga

While Kardashian posed for the controversial brand’s lookbook, she did not attend its Paris Fashion Week show on Sunday.

A source tells Page Six Style learned that the Skims founder was treated to an early private preview of the collection while in town to attend the Victoria Beckham fashion show over the weekend, and was photographed wearing the look.

She then headed to Atlantic City for Jay-Z’s VIP charity casino night, where she reunited with former flame Tom Brady.

However, Kardashian’s mom, Kris Jenner, and her partner, Corey Gamble, were in attendance at Balenciaga, as were Paris Hilton, Charli XCX, Dylan Sprouse, Offset, Ashley Graham and many more.

Kardashian had been a longtime supporter of Balenciaga and worked with the Paris-based fashion house in the past when the scandal erupted.
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Although the lookbook shot seems to be the first official collaboration Kardashian has enjoyed with Balenciaga since the scandal ignited in Nov. 2022, the lawyer-in-training was seen rocking clothing from the Paris-based fashion house in April while on a girls’ trip to Tokyo with her daughters North,10, and Chicago, 5.

She dressed up in a variety of pieces from the brand during the trip, such as a pink faux fur coat and over-the-knee metallic boots, and then shared the snaps across various social media platforms.

The outfits marked the first time Kardashian publicly wore Balenciaga after announcing she was “re-evaluating” her relationship with the brand amid the backlash and the star has continued to wear designs by creative director Demna on a consistent basis since reconciling.

The reality star said she was “disgusted and outraged” by the ordeal in a Nov. 2022 Twitter post.
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The makeup mogul has since worn Balenciaga many times while out and about and on the red carpet, though she skipped the brand’s fashion show in favor of Jay-Z’s charity casino night.
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“I have been quiet for the past few days, not because I haven’t been disgusted and outraged by the recent Balenciaga campaigns, but because I wanted an opportunity to speak to their team to understand for myself how this could have happened,” Kardashian tweeted on Nov. 27, 2022.

“As a mother of four, I have been shaken by the disturbing images. The safety of children must be held with the highest regard and any attempts to normalize child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society — period.”

In addition to North and Chicago, Kardashian shares sons Saint, 7, and Psalm, 4, with her ex-husband Kanye West.

She continued, “I appreciate Balenciaga’s removal of the campaigns and apology. In speaking with them, I believe they understand the seriousness of the issue and will take the necessary measures for this to never happen again.”

“As for my future with Balenciaga, I am currently re-evaluating my relationship with the brand, basing it off their willingness to accept accountability for something that should have never happened to begin with — & the actions I am expecting to see them take to protect children,” she concluded.

Kardashian claimed she spoke to several people at Balenciaga to get to the bottom of how the decision to release the controversial pictures was made.
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The entrepreneur also reportedly turned down a Balenciaga campaign offer for 2023, though she starred in two ad campaigns in 2022 and even walked the runway for the high fashion brand.

As Kardashian noted, Balenciaga cleared any traces of the troublesome photos from their socials and apologized several times for the “grievous errors” made during the entire creative process revolving around the photos in question.

The brand also condemned child abuse after text from a Supreme Court ruling about child pornography ended up in the background of the ad photos.