Singer and artist FKA twigs has taken to Instagram to voice her response following the ban of a Calvin Klein advertisement that portrayed her as a “stereotypical sexual object.” The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that the ad, which featured FKA twigs wearing a denim shirt, was likely to cause serious offense by objectifying women.
In the now-banned poster, FKA twigs is shown wearing a denim shirt drawn halfway around her body, revealing the side of her buttocks and half of one breast, with the text “Calvins or nothing” above her. The ASA determined that the image directed viewers’ focus towards the model’s body rather than the advertised clothing, presenting her as a “stereotypical sexual object.”
FKA twigs responded on Instagram, rejecting the “stereotypical sexual object” label, and instead, she described herself as a “beautiful strong woman of color whose incredible body has overcome more pain than you can imagine.” She also hinted at double standards by referencing a recent Calvin Klein campaign featuring actor Jeremy Allen White.
The ASA had received three complaints about advertisements featuring Jeremy Allen White, with claims that they “sexually objectify the model.” While the regulator is currently reviewing these complaints, it has not initiated an investigation.
Calvin Klein defended its advert, asserting that it was consistent with advertisements it had released in the UK for many years. An ASA spokesperson responded to FKA twigs’ post by stating, “Our published ruling sets out why, on this occasion, the ad broke the rules by irresponsibly objectifying a woman and being targeted inappropriately.”
Despite the ban, FKA twigs expressed pride in the photos and thanked Calvin Klein and fashion photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot.
