FKA twigs has taken a stand to defend her controversial Calvin Klein ad, which recently faced backlash and was banned by the UK’s Advertising Standards Agency (ASA). The ASA deemed the ad as objectifying women and likely to cause offense. The ad featured FKA twigs wearing a denim shirt that exposed her buttocks and part of her breast, with the text “Calvins or nothing,” leading to criticism of its overtly sexualized nature.
Responding to the ASA’s ruling, FKA twigs took to Instagram to express her opinion. She stated that she does not see herself as the “stereotypical sexual object” that the ASA labeled her as. She identified herself as a beautiful, strong woman of color whose body overcame significant pain. She also pointed out the double standards in the industry and drew comparisons to iconic women like Josephine Baker, Eartha Kitt, and Grace Jones, who broke barriers and redefined the concept of empowerment and sensuality. FKA twigs thanked Calvin Klein and the photographers Mert and Marcus for giving her a platform to authentically express herself and refused to let others change her narrative.
Despite FKA twigs’ passionate defense, the ASA maintained its decision. According to the agency, the image’s composition focused viewers’ attention on the model’s body rather than the advertised clothing. They claimed that FKA twigs’ physical features were presented in a way that made her a stereotypical sexual object.
Calvin Klein, however, defended its ad by stating that it aligned with their previous campaigns in the UK. The fashion brand described FKA twigs as a confident and empowered woman who collaborated on the image and approved it before its release. They highlighted that the ad covered all “conventionally sensitive” body areas and that FKA twigs was photographed in a natural and neutral position.
The ASA’s ban on the Calvin Klein ad came after two individuals complained that the images were overly sexualized, offensive, and objectifying to women. Similar complaints were raised against other posters from the same campaign featuring Kendall Jenner. However, the ASA found that the focus on Kendall’s body in those images did not depict her as a sexual object, and the level of nudity was deemed acceptable for a lingerie advertisement.
The ongoing debate surrounding the Calvin Klein ad and FKA twigs’ defense highlights the discussions around the representation of women in advertising. While some argue that the ad objectified women and reinforced harmful stereotypes, others believe it celebrated female empowerment and body positivity. This controversy serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding advertising and the importance of promoting diverse and inclusive representations.
For more information on the representation of women in advertising, you can visit the following links:
1. The Guardian – Women in Ads: From Objectification to Empowerment
2. NPR – No, Women Don’t Need to Smile More to Be More Successful
