Kim Kardashian and Balenciaga are the ultimate fashion power couple, turning heads and creating style history. From the glamour of the Met Gala to the spotlight on major life events, Kardashian and Balenciaga were inseparable, reaching the zenith of their fashionable escapades in 2021. However, their love story took an unexpected turn when a controversial ad put Balenciaga in some seriously hot water, adding a dash of drama to their once-glamorous tale.

It was like déjà vu, with Balenciaga taking a page out of Adidas’ book and parting ways with Kanye West due to his eyebrow-raising remarks. Now, Kardashian stepped into the spotlight once again, this time as the ambassador for Balenciaga. But, despite this exciting new chapter, the high-end fashion brand had its own tip-toeing through a minefield, dealing with a complicated relationship with the former power couple.

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian- Former Balenciaga Baes?

In their history of romance, Kardashian and West did not waste any time when they hit up a Balenciaga store in Paris just months after revealing their couple status. Kardashian, flaunted her baby bump with North West on the way, made waves at Balenciaga’s Paris Fashion Week in 2015, where they grabbed front-row seats to support their pal Alexander Wang at the label’s helm.

Fast forward to 2022, and Kardashian’s love story with Balenciaga continued its stylish saga. Despite the twists and turns, including a surprise appearance at Ye’s album listening party and a headline-grabbing Met Gala entrance, Kardashian’s fashion affair with Balenciaga remained as steadfast as ever. By 2022, she was practically living in Balenciaga, cementing her status as the brand’s go-to ambassador.

Kim Kardashian as the muse for Balenciaga?

In the fashion arena, one held her ground as a style maestro while the other soared to the zenith of the fashion charts. From making headlines to dominating search engine results, the synergy between the reality star and Balenciaga ignited a sartorial wildfire that captivated the world. Imagine the designer and muse dynamic, a force that can reshape a brand’s destiny, mirroring legendary collaborations like the Birkin bag born from Jean Louis Dumas and Jane Birkin’s interaction.

Balenciaga’s maestro, Demna Gvasalia, and Kim Kardashian shared a magnetic connection that sparked fashion moments like the SKIMS owner’s Met Gala ensemble, triggering a 505% surge in searches for Balenciaga. Their collaboration, a dance between high glamour and meme culture, catapulted them to the status of a conversation-starting power couple, leaving fashion enthusiasts on the edge of their seats, eager to witness their next sartorial saga.

The fashion fairytale took an unexpected turn?

Balenciaga found itself in deep water, causing an uproar with a campaign that left the internet buzzing. The promotional materials, featuring kids in unconventional outfits and a handbag with a questionable reference, set off a storm of criticism. Twitter erupted with accusations of Balenciaga promoting the unsavory, and the brand faced swift backlash.

In response, Balenciaga issued an apology, expressing regret and vowing to take legal action against those responsible for the controversial set. Meanwhile, the SKIMS mogul, who had been as silent as a mouse initially, finally broke her silence on Instagram, condemning child abuse and making it clear that she was reassessing her ties with Balenciaga.

From allies to adversaries- A fallout with Balenciaga?

In a plot twist fit for a Hollywood drama, Ye, once Balenciaga’s staunch supporter and collaborator, had turned from friend to critic, lambasting the luxury brand’s eyebrow-raising ad campaign featuring children and teddy bear-shaped bags adorned with bondage accessories. In a candid encounter with paparazzi post-church, West delivered a cryptic message, cautioning fellow stars not to be swayed by those influenced by external forces.

The next act in this celebrity saga unfolded as Kardashian, Balenciaga’s long-standing muse, took the stage. Breaking her silence on social media, Kardashian expressed her deep dismay over the disturbing campaign images, emphasizing the unequivocal need to safeguard children. In a strategic move, she hinted at reconsidering her alliance with Balenciaga, contingent upon the brand’s willingness to accept accountability for the debacle and take concrete actions to shield children from harm.

Ye’s deep history with the high end fashion brand

The saga began in 2015 when Ye enlisted the brand’s creative maestro, Demna, for his Yeezy season 1 creative crew. He trumpeted the then Vetements designer’s talent in an exclusive feature for Vanity Fair, setting the stage for a glamorous partnership. Moving to 2021, where Ye, alongside celebrities like Bella Hadid and Salma Hayek, sat masked through Balenciaga’s haute couture showcase in Paris – a dramatic nod to the brand’s founder, Cristóbal Balenciaga.

Then came the arrival of Yeezy x Gap, marked by a burst of bubble jackets and West’s exclusive adoption of Balenciaga gear, complete with attention-grabbing face-covering masks. As whispers about Ye’s divorce with Kardashian echoed through 2021, he metamorphosed into Ye, unleashing Yeezy Gap Engineered by Balenciaga in early 2022 without much preamble. Following two highly successful drops, West even revamped a Gap store in Times Square as he prepped the stage for the nationwide unveiling of Yeezy Gap Engineered by Balenciaga.

Severed ties for Kanye West?

In the aftermath of Ye’s stormy verbal spats, where he unleashed a torrent of words, the corporate parent of Balenciaga, Kering, decided to cut the cord with the multitalented artist. With a decisive statement to WWD, a Kering representative announced the end of all ties, declaring that Balenciaga no longer had any connection or future plans with the artist. Although, Ye alongside Bianca Censori is still seen sporting Balenciaga looks but his ties with the brand see no light.

It was a dramatic exit, leaving the fashion world abuzz with whispers and speculations about the aftermath of this severed collaboration. Balenciaga’s association with the rapper concluded abruptly, with the company stating they have no ongoing relationship or plans for future projects with him. West’s notable appearance at Balenciaga’s summer 2023 show, wearing distinctive battle gear, had been expunged from the brand’s website.

Kardashian finally reassessed her relationship with Balenciaga?

In November 2022, Kardashian found herself caught in the crossfire of Balenciaga’s storm. The luxury fashion house faced fierce criticism for a controversial holiday photoshoot involving children. This raised eyebrows and prompted Kardashian to ponder the future of her affiliation with the brand. However, fast forward to January 19, 2023 – the SKIMS mogul stepped into the spotlight as their latest brand ambassador.

Despite the tempestuous waves stirred by Balenciaga’s past missteps, the narrative took an unforeseen turn on January 19, 2023. In a stunning revelation, Kardashian emerged as Balenciaga’s fresh face, brushing off the shadows of controversy. The brand, known for embracing modernity and craftsmanship, signaled a reconciled partnership with Kardashian. Meanwhile, she expressed eagerness for the journey ahead.

What other instances with respect to the Balenciaga saga you are aware of? Share in the comments below.