The UK government agency that regulates advertising has partially lifted a ban on a risqué Calvin Klein campaign featuring scantily clad singer-songwriter FKA Twigs.
The Advertising Standards Authority ruled in January that the brand’s advertising campaign for last year’s spring collection featured images that were overtly sexual and objectified the singer.
The agency determined that the advertisement was inappropriate in that it could be seen not only by children but also by others who may be offended.
The ASA received complaints from the public and said the ad “used nudity and focused on FKA Twigs’ physical characteristics rather than her clothing” to portray her as a “stereotypical sexual object”. agreed.
But the ASA reversed course on Wednesday, saying the ad would still be prohibited from appearing on outdoor posters because of the risk it could be seen by children, but would be allowed.
“The decision to reconsider the original ruling was taken in the context of the great strength of public sentiment, including the views expressed by FKA Twigs following our findings, but our decision to ban advertising was “This was prompted by our concerns that the rationale was seriously flawed,” an ASA spokesperson said.
The news of the reversal is The Wall Street Journal reported.
The initial decision to ban the FKA Twigs image was intense, given that a similar Calvin Klein campaign featuring actor Jeremy White wearing only his underwear had not been subject to similar scrutiny. provoked anger.
two of Kendall Jenner’s Calvin Klein adin which she appeared topless, was also investigated, but ultimately found not to have broken ASA advertising rules.
“Media reaction to our January ruling included accusations of double standards in light of other Calvin Klein ads featuring the actor.” [Jeremy] “Allen White broke out around the time we announced the verdict,” authorities said in a blog post.
“The challenge was, if FKA Twigs is being objectified, then Jeremy Allen White must be being objectified as well.”
However, the ASA said in assessing the white ads they were not inappropriate.
“It is our view that Jeremy Allen White’s ad is unlikely to breach our rules,” an ASA spokesperson said.
FKA Twigs (real name Talia Barnett) posted on social media attacking the ASA.
“I don’t see the ‘stereotypical sex object’ they labeled me,” she wrote in an Instagram post in January. I see beautiful, strong women of color with incredible bodies who have overcome more pain than you can imagine. ”
A Calvin Klein spokesperson could not be reached for comment.
