Controversy with Calvin Kline Ad, Again

Sun, 24 Oct 2010 18:00:00 +0000

**The ad shown above has brought controversy to the designer’s brand once again. CK has apparently had a number of ads brought into question over the years. The ad above was banned in Australia for suggesting rape. Some up-tight, authoritarian figure in the Advertising Standards Bureau thought the ad suggested a gang rape of the pretty lady above.

To me, the ad could have easily been mistaken for a promotional poster for a new season of True Blood. Please take a look at the image below and look at how similar the images look. The pretty ladies in both ads are situated in a manner that looks extremely submissive, but I never heard of an outcry against True Blood. The image for the show above even has some pretty suggestive copy to go along with the image. I wonder if the show went through the same scrutiny in Australia? Granted, Calvin Klein has had a history of pushing the acceptable limits when it comes to sexually charged advertising.

Calvin Klein on Inside That Ad

Controversy with Calvin Kline Ad, Again