The fashion company, Balenciaga, has been facing enormous backlash after running a fashion campaign using children in compromising poses with BDSM stuffed bears, also using not so subtle references to child pornography, showing controversial books with naked children and a handbag placed atop legal documents also referencing child pornography and pedophilia.

For a time, Balenciaga has tried to shift the blame for these controversial and questionable styling choices. Balenciaga filed a massive $25 million dollar lawsuit against North Six, the marketing agency that Balenciaga said was responsible for the child exploiting ad choices. Now Balenciaga has thrown out the lawsuit.

Cédric Charbit, the president and CEO of Balenciaga released a statement on Instagram saying, “BALENCIAGA HAS DECIDED NOT TO PURSUE LITIGATION.”

The creative director, Demna, has also issued an apology, posted on Instagram, saying “I want to personally apologize for the wrong artistic choice of concept for the gifting campaign with the kids and I take my responsibility. It was inappropriate to have kids promote objects that had nothing to do with them.”

In order to save face, Balenciaga will now go on an apology tour and the company pledges to open a grant to fund organizations that aim to protect children from exploitation. The company said in the statement, “TOGETHER WITH MY TEAM, WE WILL GO ON “LISTENING TOUR” TO ENGAGE WITH ADVOCAY GROUPS WHO AIM TO PROTECT CHILDREN.” Cédric Charbit also apologized, saying, “I WANT TO PERSONALLY REITERATE MY SINCERE APOLOGIES FOR THE OFFENSE CAUSED AND TAKE MY RESPONSIBILITY.”

Image by Nick Fewings from Unsplash