FKA Twigs Responds to Her Calvin Klein Ad Being Banned in the UK [Updated]
Photo: Neil Mockford/FilmMagic
An advertisement from Calvin Klein's Spring 2023 campaign featuring musician FKA Twigs has been banned for use in the United Kingdom.
On Wednesday morning, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that the "image's composition placed viewers' focus on the model's body rather than on the clothing being advertised," therefore making the ad, which was photographed by Mert and Marcus, "likely to cause serious offense," according to the BBC. The ASA also deemed the photo "overly sexualized" and "irresponsible" for portraying FKA Twigs as a "stereotypical sexual object".
Photo: Mert and Marcus/Courtesy of Calvin Klein
In the original press release for the campaign from March 2023, the brand wrote that "FKA Twigs epitomizes artistry" in the images meant to promote Calvin Klein's then-new "sensual" underwear options. As reported by the BBC, Calvin Klein defended the advertisement, saying it displays a "confident and empowered woman" with all "conventionally sensitive" body areas fully covered.
This isn't the first time the UK has banned an advertisement that the ASA deemed too sexual. In 2020, fast fashion brands Prettylittlething and Missguided faced similar complaints from the organization, including being "overly sexualized" and presenting "objectified women".
Update, January 12: FKA Twigs responded to the ban in an Instagram post, writing: "In light of reviewing other campaigns past and current of this nature, I can't help but feel there are some double standards here... Thank you to (Calvin Klein) and Mert and Marcus who gave me a space to express myself exactly how I wanted to — I will not have my narrative changed."
See her post below.
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