Adidas Pauses Balenciaga Rollouts As It Reconsiders Their Partnership

The past few years have proven that even the most unshakeable sectors can rise and then unceremoniously fall. The pandemic, of course, plagued many—from travel to nightlife businesses. As for the streetwear luxury world, it’s been enjoying a few years of insurmountable success—until the fame got to its head.

Case in point: Balenciaga, which has long wrestled with Gucci for the title of hottest brand in fashion. Alas, the Spanish label might struggle to keep its place as a worthy contender following a high-profile controversy that ignited some of the most formidable executions of cancel culture in a while. The brand was placed under high scrutiny after unleashing a campaign featuring young children with bondage-inspired teddy bears. To rub salt in the wound, it was called out for a separate campaign showcasing a court document on child pornography laws.

Hoping to distance itself from the backlash, Adidas has announced that it will put moves with its coveted Balenciaga collaboration on hold while it re-evaluates their contract. In fact, both Adidas and Balenciaga—exclusive distributors of the collection—will pause preorders for the tie-in.

“We have taken the time to re-evaluate our partnership with Balenciaga and we have decided to pause all product launches until further notice,” Adidas shares, according to a support email sent to Sneaker Freaker.

“While no payment has been taken for this order, we apologize for the inconvenience and hope that you understand our decision,” Adidas’ email adds.

Balenciaga’s customer service team has also sent out emails saying that preorders for the Adidas x Balenciaga line, which includes purposefully “Worn-Out” Stan Smiths, will be “delayed in shipment.” Customers who have already received delivery details should “ignore the previous email notification with the… tracking number inside,” Balenciaga notes.

It’s been a rough few months for Adidas. Not only has it ended its ties with Kanye West and the beloved Adidas x YEEZY partnership, which it has deemed as one of its “most successful collaborations” yet, but the German brand also stands to lose one of its other most lucrative lines.

Balenciaga, too, recently cut ties with the YEEZY founder. Life just has its way of ending cycles.

[via Sneaker Freaker, cover photo 263489671 © Sylvain Robin | Dreamstime.com]