‘Balenciaga’ parody videos – PR guru reveals why viral AI-generated clips could save brand

From fake images of Donald Trump being tackled by police to computer-generated photos of Pope Francis in a puffer jacket – it’s no secret that new developments in artificial intelligence have spawned plenty of bizarre memes in recent months.

And this past week was no different, as a series of new AI-generated ‘Balenciaga’ parody videos are making the rounds on social media.

These mesmerizing videos are created using a mix of AI programs, including the speech generator from Midjourney and Eleven Labs. They feature animated versions of pop culture characters discussing their love for French luxury house Balenciaga.

The characters are dressed in couture-inspired clothing and their facial features are refined to resemble those of high fashion models.

And while the intent of these clips may be to mock Balenciaga’s famously outlandish style, PR guru Max Markson believes the brand could benefit from making a fool of itself after the recent BDSM teddy bear scandal.

“I doubt these videos can save Balenciaga’s reputation, but they are on the right track,” Markson told Daily Mail Australia.

He suggested that Balenciaga could even create his own memes as part of a marketing campaign.

‘[The brand] needs some smarter people, and smarter people, have fun with it [its image] and try to soften it… and if they did, they could set out to help restore the brand.”

The publicity maestro, who has represented some of Australia’s most controversial celebrities, said it’s never too late for a brand to win back fans after a public scandal.

‘No one is too far away. You can always apologize, fire a few people, start over and be clean and tidy. That can help them,” he said.

Many online fans have shared a similar sentiment, commenting under an AI parody video: “This is better than an actual commercial for Balenciaga.”

“The fact that Balenciaga could make a comeback because of memes,” added another.

Balenciaga faced significant backlash in November for its 2022 holiday ad campaign, which featured children posing with toy bears dressed in what appeared to be BDSM gear.

Since then, more revelations have come out about the brand’s previous campaigns, with fans discovering the Spring/Summer 2023 campaign containing pages from a U.S. Supreme Court decision on child pornography laws.

In a lengthy apology, the fashion house took full responsibility for the teddy bear images, but insisted it was not involved in the photoshoot under child pornography laws.

The brand’s most famous muse, Kim Kardashian, announced that she would not cut ties with the brand.

One of the most popular videos in the Balenciaga parody genre is titled “Harry Potter by Balenciaga” made by a creator named demonflyingfox.

The clip features AI versions of characters from the Harry Potter franchise saying phrases like “You are Balenciaga, Harry.”

Another clip inspired by Game of Thrones, created by Abandoned Moviesfeatures a computer-generated version of actress Lena Headey dressed as a high-fashion version of her character Cersei Lannister.

“When you play the game of fashion, you win or you die,” the character says, referring to Cersei’s famous line in Game of Thrones: “When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die.” There is no middle ground.’

Other variants include parodies of Star Wars, Friends, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and The Last of Us.