Check Out FKA Twigs' Calvin Klein Ad Banned In UK For Being Too Sexual

A Spring 2023 Calvin Klein ad of British singer-songwriter FKA Twigs for the brand's "Calvins or nothing" campaign got banned in the U.K. because the singer was allegedly presented as "a stereotypical sexual object."

The banned photo showed the singer wearing only an unbuttoned shirt over half of her body, revealing her side boob and the side of her buttocks. It was captioned, "Calvins or nothing @fkatwigs. Body artistry. The spring campaign. By @mertalas and @macpiggott."

According to The Guardian, the photo was banned by the U.K. Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after two people complained that the ad "inappropriately sexualized" FKA Twigs.

ASA reportedly agreed with the complaints and released a statement, saying, "The ad used nudity and centered on FKA Twigs' physical features rather than the clothing, to the extent that it presented her as a stereotypical sexual object."

"The image's composition placed [the] viewers' focus on the model's body rather than on the clothing being advertised," the statement continued.

After describing the Calvin Klein ad as "irresponsible and likely to cause serious offense," ASA ruled that the ad "must not appear again in the form complained of." 

The two complainants also reportedly opposed the Calvin Klein ad featuring Kendall Jenner, where she was holding her breasts in one of the photos. However, ASA deemed it acceptable because it was not done "in a manner that portrayed her as a sexual object."

The organization also said that Jenner's other photos wearing just Calvin Klein underwear fell within the bounds of acceptable advertising of lingerie products.

Calvin Klein has since defended its FKA Twigs ad, insisting the images were not vulgar. Like Jenner, the singer only showed a confident and empowered woman who chose to identify with Calvin Klein.

The fashion company also argued that "the ads contained a progressive and enlightened message" and that FKA Twigs' pose, like Jenner's, was "natural and neutral." 

Many reacted to ASA's ruling regarding FKA Twigs' Calvin Kleid ad by sharing their thoughts online.

"There are ads in [the] UK with much more nudity, but they're not banned. The difference is that the models in those ads are White. Clown country [for real]," tweeted one X user.

"The fact that women's bodies can't exist in the nude NOT EVEN EXPOSED without it being sexual enrages me," wrote another.

"In the UK, you can be imprisoned for being too hot," quipped a third user.