Dubai consignment store The Closet has suspended its sales of French luxury brand Balenciaga after the label faced backlash as a result of its new controversial holiday marketing campaign featuring child abuse-related content.
Over the last few days, the company has been under fire over the ‘inappropriate’ marketing campaign that involves children in disturbing scenarios.
“The Closet will stop accepting Balenciaga and we have taken down all Balenciaga products from our stores and website till further notice,” the statement said.
For now, other UAE retail stores such as Bloomingdales, upscale store Level Shoes and The Luxury Closet continue to sell Balenciaga despite the brand’s holiday campaign as the backlash is rippling across countries.
So far, Balenciaga has issued an apology after withdrawing its campaign as the luxury label’s advertisements sparked ire across social media networks.
Their statement reads that their campaign should not have included children and that the company strongly condemn abusing children in any form.
Simultaneously, Balenciaga filed a $25 million lawsuit against the campaign producers.
The Closet is the largest and most trusted consignment shop in the Middle East, owned and managed by The Closet General Trading LLC for consigning, selling, and buying authentic pre-owned and brand-new designer handbags and accessories. Teh store offers high-end brands like Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Chanel for a fraction of the price of traditional retail stores.
The Closet was founded in June of 2010 by Hadeer Soliman, who saw a need in the market for a store appealing specifically to the equally fashion-conscious and budget-conscious woman.
