Remember those fancy perfume or clothing ads you see sometimes? The ones with impossibly perfect models draped across sleek furniture, looking like they just stepped out of a dream (and a Photoshop studio)? Well, one of those ads just landed in hot water, causing a big stir online.
The brand in question is Calvin Klein, a name you might recognize from jeans and underwear commercials. Their latest ad featured singer FKA twigs, a talented artist known for her unique style and edgy music. But instead of celebrating her creative spirit, the ad focused on, well, her body.
Specifically, the ad showed FKA twigs in various poses, mostly close-up shots of her lips, legs, and stomach. There wasn’t much else going on – no story, no message, just her body on display. And that’s what got people talking, and not in a good way.
Many viewers, especially women, felt the ad was “objectifying” FKA twigs. They argued that instead of showcasing her individuality and talent, the ad reduced her to just a pretty face and a nice figure. It made her seem like something to be looked at, not like a person with thoughts, feelings, and a whole lot more to offer than just her appearance.
Think about it this way: imagine if instead of focusing on FKA twigs’ body, the ad showed her onstage, rocking out with her band. Or maybe in a recording studio, creating her next hit song. Wouldn’t that be a lot more interesting and empowering? It would show her as the talented artist she is, not just a body in a fancy perfume ad.
Now, some people might argue that it’s just an ad, and we shouldn’t be reading so much into it. But ads are powerful things. They shape how we see ourselves and the world around us. And when ads constantly tell us that women are only valuable for their looks, it can have a harmful impact on our self-esteem and how we treat each other.
So, what happened to the Calvin Klein ad? Well, after facing a lot of criticism online, the company decided to pull it. They said they were “listening to the feedback” and “committed to representing diversity and inclusion in our marketing.”
This is a good step in the right direction. But it’s important to remember that this isn’t just about one ad. It’s about the bigger picture – how we portray women in the media and in society as a whole. We need to move away from objectification and celebrate women for who they truly are: complex, diverse, and incredibly talented individuals.
So next time you see an ad, take a second look. Does it tell a story? Does it showcase the person’s individuality, or just their looks? And if it’s the latter, maybe it’s time for a change. Let’s demand ads that reflect the real world, where women are more than just objects to be admired – they’re the ones making the world a more interesting, creative, and just plain awesome place.