FKA Twigs’ Skin-Baring Calvin Klein Ad Banned in UK for Portraying Her as a ‘Sexual Object,’ Brand Responds

A Calvin Klein ad featuring British singer-songwriter FKA Twigs has been banned in the UK after complaints about the nudity shown in the image.

On Wednesday, the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority announced that one of three posters from the April 2023 campaign portrayed the “Papi Bones” singer, 36, as a “stereotypical sex object”.

The summary of the panel’s decision states that one photo shows “the side of her buttocks and half of one breast [was] exposed” in the “Calvins or nothing” ad. The complaint also referred to videos with Kendall Jenner in which the model poses “topless with her hands on her bare chest.”

Kendall Jenner goes topless in ‘sensual’ Calvin Klein ads, joins Michael B. Jordan, FKA Twigs and others

In two complaints received by the UK’s ASA, the images were deemed “excessively sexualised”.

FKA twigs. Dave Bennett/Getty

The complaint further states that the ad is “offensive and irresponsible, because it objectifies women; and unsuitable for display in a non-targeted medium.”

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“The ad used nudity and focused on FKA Twigs’ physical features rather than her clothing, to the extent of presenting her as a stereotypical sex object,” the ASA said, adding that “the composition of the image focused viewers on the model’s body. on the clothes being advertised.”

According to the ASA’s summary of the ruling, Calvin Klein responded to the criticism, saying that “the ads are similar to ads they have run in the UK for years.”

The fashion company said it was “well known as a pioneering and progressive brand that has engaged in a range of partnerships focused on fairness and equality”, and denied sexualising any of the models.

FKA twigs, Paris Fashion Week. EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty

According to the ASA summary, “Calvin Klein said the images are not vulgar and show two confident and empowered women who have chosen to identify with the Calvin Klein brand and that the ads carry a progressive and enlightened message.”

Defending the amount of partial nudity shown in their campaign, the brand reiterated that “the ads were for clothing, including underwear, so some degree of nudity should be expected.”

FKA Twigs joins Madonna on stage at London show: ‘On My Way to Meet Muva’

Following a spring campaign with Calvin Klein, Twigs teamed up with Madonna as a special guest on the “Material Girl” singer’s Celebration tour at London’s O2 Arena in October.

“On my way to meet Muva and her friends,” Twigs captioned an Oct. 16 Instagram carousel of photos and videos documenting the epic evening.

The video she uploaded showed Twigs dancing on a chair in the middle of the stage and receiving a lap dance from three male performers, while Madonna, 65, held a sign that said “10”. At the end, she kissed one of the dancers.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education