The latest Calvin Klein ad starring FKA twigs has sparked a heated debate, resulting in the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banning the campaign over concerns of objectifying women.
The banned poster, labeled as «overly sexualized» by the ASA, prominently features FKA twigs in a creatively drawn denim shirt, revealing specific body parts. The accompanying text, «Calvins or nothing,» led to the ban, as the ASA found it «likely to cause serious offense by objectifying women.»
In response, FKA twigs passionately defended the images on Instagram, rejecting the label of a «stereotypical sexual object» and expressing pride in her physicality. She drew parallels with iconic women like Josephine Baker, Eartha Kitt, and Grace Jones, emphasizing empowerment and sensuality.
Despite FKA twigs’ defense, the ASA maintained that the ad’s composition directed focus towards the model’s body, deeming it irresponsible and likely to cause offense.
Calvin Klein, standing by the ad, argued its similarity to past campaigns and described FKA twigs as a «confident and empowered woman» who actively collaborated on the image’s creation. The brand highlighted the appropriate coverage of sensitive areas and the model’s natural and neutral pose.
While FKA twigs’ images faced the ban, the ASA found no issue with two other posters from the same campaign featuring model Kendall Jenner, stating they did not portray her as a sexual object.
The controversy raises questions about the balance between artistic expression and objectification in the realm of fashion advertising.
