adidas Pumps the Brakes on Its Balenciaga Partnership

Ensuing the absolute media shitstorm caused by Balenciaga's "Gift Shop" campaign, adidas has now pumped the breaks on the partnership between the two in an attempt to further itself from the controversy. This move will essentially pause the collaborative product launch between the two brands, leaving many wondering whether or not Balenciaga will find a way to bounce back from this.

By the off chance that you've been living under a rock for the last 5 weeks, Balenciaga has been simply vilified by the majority of the fashion community due to its "Gift Shop" campaign. The campaign showcased children carrying teddy bears equipped with bondage-styled harnesses, chain leashes and dog collar chokers. If that wasn't bad enough, other Twitter users spotted a document within the adidas x Balenciaga campaign photos containing excerpts relating to the sexual exploitation of minors.

Until now, adidas has remained somewhat quiet on the whole situation, but users are now reporting that pre-orders from the collection will be delayed or cancelled entirely. The message reads, “We have taken the time to re-evaluate our partnership with Balenciaga and we have decided to pause all product launches until further notice.” Now, this statement almost prompts the question of what the duo will do next. Will they go down the post-Astroworld Travis Scott x Nike route and wait for the controversy to die down? Or will adidas stick to its guns and honour its commitment? In other fashion news, check out - Collaboration of the Year.