The latest buzz in the world of fashion and controversy has been brewing over the recent takedown of a provocative Calvin Klein billboard in London featuring the enigmatic musician FKA Twigs. If you thought you’d seen it all, think again, because this ad wasn’t just your average run-of-the-mill poster—it was a tantalizing glimpse into the realm of Calvin Klein’s notorious semi-nude imagery that has stirred conversations for decades.
Picture this: FKA Twigs, the embodiment of artistic prowess and unapologetic sensuality, gracing a Calvin Klein billboard, baring it all (well, almost) in a display that’s both mesmerizing and daring. But before you could even say “fashion faux pas,” the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in the United Kingdom swooped in with a ruling that sent shockwaves through the fashion universe faster than you can say “editorial controversy.”
Before we go any further, look at the ad pictured above (it’s the same ad that was banned in the UK, but as it appears in New York City). Seriously, there’s practically less skin visible here than the average bikini-clad beachgoer on a public beach in Miami. Is the image sexualized? Yes, maybe, more or less (and that’s a legitimate point of debate), but so are a LOT of ads and media. No doubt about it. Provocative, perhaps. Titillating in a pornographic sense? No, not really, though it depends on each individual viewer’s erotic proclivities, we suppose. But is she really “nude”? Not really and not any more so than we’ve seen in media and advertising elsewhere, whether it’s mainstream magazines like Vanity Fair or Vogue magazine the past few decades. See images below.
In any case, the ASA, in its wisdom (or lack thereof, depending on who you ask), deemed the ad “likely to cause serious and widespread offense,” effectively yanking it from its prime spot above the bustling streets of London. Cue the collective gasps of the fashion elite and the uproar of Twigs’ fiercely loyal fanbase.
Here’s a fun fact: The ASA’s action was based on two — just two! — people complaining that they were offended by the ad.
But fear not, dear readers, for this tale takes a twist that even the most seasoned fashionistas couldn’t predict. In a move that can only be described as a plot twist worthy of a high-stakes runway show, the ASA backtracked on its decision, admitting that maybe, just maybe, they had jumped the gun on this one.
Yes, you read that right—the ASA, in a rare moment of humility, acknowledged that they might have missed the mark. It’s the first time in ASA history that a decision made under its guidelines around objectification has been overturned, and boy, did it send shockwaves through the industry.
However, before you break out the champagne and start celebrating the victory for artistic expression, hold your applause, because the ASA still maintained that the imagery was “overtly sexual” and insisted that the billboards should be banned from the innocent eyes of children under the age of 16. It’s a classic case of one step forward, two steps back—a reminder that even in the age of supposed enlightenment, the battle for freedom of expression is far from over.
As ADWEEK brand editor Rebecca Stewart astutely points out, this debacle shines a harsh light on the double standards that continue to plague women and women’s issues in the cutthroat world of advertising. While society may pat itself on the back for progress in gender equality, institutions like the ASA still cling to outdated notions of censorship at the first sign of controversy.
And let’s not forget the legacy of Calvin Klein’s provocative billboard ads that paved the way for this moment. From Mark Wahlberg’s iconic bulge to Brooke Shields’ infamous declaration that nothing comes between her and her Calvins, the brand has never shied away from pushing the boundaries of good taste and social norms. It’s a legacy that continues to resonate in the hearts and minds of fashion enthusiasts everywhere, challenging us to question the status quo and embrace the power of visual storytelling, no matter how scandalous it may seem.
So what’s next for the world of fashion and advertising? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for certain: As long as there are billboards to be seen and controversies to be had, the spirit of rebellion will continue to burn bright in the ever-evolving landscape of style and expression. And for that, we raise a toast to the fearless trailblazers like FKA Twigs who dare to bare it all, one billboard at a time. Cheers to the revolution, comrades.
GLOBAL GRAPHICA 