The UK Ban on Calvin Klein’s FKA Twigs Ad Has Been Revoked

Earlier this year, the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banned Calvin Klein‘s FKA Twigs advertisement, citing that the “image’s composition placed viewers’ focus on the model’s body rather than on the clothing being advertised.”

The ban has now been revoked three months later, following strong public criticism. The image shows FKA Twigs half-naked, covered by a cascading denim shirt, and builds on Calvin Klein’s sensual identity.

The ASA has reconsidered due to the “strength of public feeling” and has reviewed its stance as “the image was not sexually explicit, that the ad presented FKA twigs as confident and in control and, therefore, that she had not been objectified.”

The original ban was placed after two people complained that it was “overly sexualized.” While Kendall Jenner was also featured in the same campaign, her images were not prohibited from public view. “The images were not vulgar and were of two confident and empowered women who had chosen to identify with the Calvin Klein brand, and the ads contained a progressive and enlightened message,” Calvin Klein said after ASA announced the ban.

The ASA had mentioned that the reconsideration “took place in the context of the significant strength of public feeling, including views expressed by FKA twigs.” The ASA Council still maintains its opinions on the ad being “overtly sexual” and “not suitable for display in an untargeted medium.”