Controversial ad featuring FKA Twigs draws criticism from regulators

  • Calvin Klein ad featuring FKA Twigs banned in the U.K.
  • Regulator upholds complaints of objectification and overt sexuality
  • Ad focused on physical features rather than clothing
  • Calvin Klein known for using nudity and sensuality in advertising
  • Brand told to consider ruling in future ads
  • U.S. advertising self-regulated, U.K. regulator has wider remit

Calvin Klein’s latest ad featuring FKA Twigs has been banned in the U.K. after complaints of objectification and overt sexuality. The ad, part of a campaign for the brand’s 2023 spring collection, focused on FKA Twigs’s physical features rather than the clothing, leading to accusations of stereotypical objectification. This ruling represents a potential limit to Calvin Klein’s long-standing advertising strategy of using nudity and sensuality to sell clothes and underwear. The U.K.’s Advertising Standards Authority has instructed Calvin Klein to ensure that future ads do not irresponsibly objectify women and are targeted appropriately. In contrast, advertising in the U.S. is self-regulated, with decisions made by business groups focused on truthfulness in ads. The U.K. regulator has a wider remit to uphold the country’s advertising code, including preventing harm and offense.

Public Companies: Calvin Klein (Unknown), PVH (Unknown)
Private Companies:
Key People: FKA Twigs (Singer), Jeremy Allen White (Actor), Brooke Shields (Actress)

Factuality Level: 6
Justification: The article provides information about the Advertising Standards Authority upholding complaints against a Calvin Klein ad featuring FKA Twigs. It includes quotes from the ASA and Calvin Klein’s response. However, the article also includes unnecessary background information about Calvin Klein’s history of nudity in advertising and mentions unrelated ads featuring Jeremy Allen White. Overall, the article provides some relevant information but includes tangential details and could be more focused.

Noise Level: 3
Justification: The article provides information about a recent ruling by the U.K.’s Advertising Standards Authority regarding a Calvin Klein ad featuring FKA Twigs. It discusses the regulator’s decision and Calvin Klein’s response. However, the article contains some repetitive information and does not provide a thoughtful analysis or actionable insights. It also does not explore the consequences of the ruling on those who bear the risks.

Financial Relevance: No
Financial Markets Impacted: No

Presence of Extreme Event: No
Nature of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating of the Extreme Event: No
Justification: The article does not pertain to financial topics and does not describe any extreme events.

Reported publicly: www.wsj.com