The clothing company Calvin Klein is in a bit of hot water after their #MyCalvin campaign featured upskirt shots of models.
Warning. The ads are very NSFW.
The campaign has drawn criticism for being ‘gross’ and unnecessarily sexualized. Users on Instagram have flooded the images comment section with complaints about the ad.
“This is in poor taste. Too low,” user blueproem wrote.
“Why is this good advertising in any way ? Going upskirt makes you cool? When will you rise above the animal instincts and the old marketing strategy of sex sells.. Seriously disturbing campaign,” user aliazafar wrote.”
Calvin Klein is no stranger to sexualizing its models in ad campaigns, but the upskirt shots may be the furthest they’ve crossed the line. Model Klara Kristin, who appeared in the ad shown above, defended the shot, saying some are scared of empowering the female body.
“I love this photo @harleyweir took of me,” Kristin wrote on Instagram. “All this discussion about it makes me think about how alienated and scared some people are to the female human body. Be and love yourself and your sexuality #girlpower.”
The ad is definitely too much. It’s graphically sexualizing the women who appear in them. But, Kristin has a point. Are people complaining about the ad because they’re scared of women embracing their sexuality? It’s tough to say.
Calvin Klein likely knew the ad would generate controversy. People are talking about their brand because of the pictures, which is exactly what they were hoping to accomplish. It’s a win for them, even if it doesn’t seem that way.
[Mirror]
