Calvin Klein’s FKA Twigs Posters Banned; “Objectification” Reasons Cited

Due to its “objectification of women” and its potential to “cause serious offence,” a Calvin Klein poster starring FKA Twigs has been banned. It has also been instructed that Calvin Klein not rerun the image. The artist appeared in the sign, first issued in the spring of 2023, displaying half of herself and the side of her buttocks with a denim shirt draped over one shoulder. “Calvins or nothing” was the slogan attached to it. But two complaints over the campaign image were later filed with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), both claiming that Twigs’s representation was “overly sexualized” and offended people by objectifying women. Then, the ASA maintained these. They sent a statement via The Times, offering their thoughts on the campaign photo and subsequent complaints.

“We considered the image’s composition placed viewers’ focus on the model’s body rather than on the clothing being advertised,” the ruling said. “The ad used nudity and centred on FKA Twigs physical features rather than the clothing, to the extent that it presented her as a stereotypical sexual object.”

The statement pointed out that the nudity in the image had a sexual connotation, making it inappropriate for display without a specific target audience. The advertisement was classified as irresponsible and capable of causing severe offence. However, in response to the image’s controversy, Calvin Klein firmly defended their stance. They maintained that the advert portrayed FKA Twigs as an empowered woman, not objectified. They also emphasized that all sensitive body parts were covered and that the degree of nudity was consistent with their past campaigns. Furthermore, they stood by the campaign’s progressive and enlightened message. Twigs supported the campaign and shared the image on Twitter, expressing her strength and confidence.

“It’s an honour to be the new face of @calvinklein and to have worked so closely with some of my dearest friends to create something I believe reflects me as a woman and an artist.”

The singer’s ongoing legal battle with her ex-boyfriend Shia LaBeouf may have influenced the decision to outlaw the advertisement. The musician, whose real name is Tahliah Debrett Barnett, filed the lawsuit in 2020, accusing him of “relentless abuse” that included assault, emotional distress infliction, and sexual battery during their previous relationship.

it’s an honour to be the new face of @calvinklein and to have worked so closely with some of my dearest friends to create something that i believe reflects me as a woman and artist #adpic.twitter.com/N9ElliuND6

— FKA twigs (@FKAtwigs) March 15, 2023