Calvin Klein Up to Old Tricks With Threesome Ad

June 15, 2009

I doubt anyone is surprised that a Calvin Klein advertisement is causing controversy for being sexually charged. Despite the company's record, a new ad featuring one woman being "shared" by two men, while another watches, has aroused public outrage again.

Calvin Klein ironically (and predictably) uses a practically naked women to sell clothes and can only be described as pornographic. The billboard has upset families in the SoHo neighborhood in New York, where it resides. The company says the intention was to create "a very sexy campaign that speaks to our targeted demographic," which I assume doesn't include children passing by the jumbo-size threesome.

This latest ad might not be Calvin Klein's most shocking — that prize probably goes to the 1995 TV campaign that alluded to child pornography. Even so, do you think this ad should be taken down?

30 Comments

3 years 47 weeks

hey now. i can totally picture this happening. and im sure plenty of people make-out in large groups in just jeans.

CanadianAlissa 3 years 48 weeks

ew. doesn't make me want to buy his product.

Frank y Ava 3 years 48 weeks

Why must advertisers oversexualize everything. It's not necessary.

runningesq 3 years 48 weeks

yawn.

runningesq 3 years 48 weeks

yawn.

JessaG 3 years 48 weeks

It gets your attention and gets you talking about CK. Think of how many ads you are exposed to each day, and how many you can actually recall. This will be one that will stick in your mind, whether it is in a positive or negative way, isn't the point. I think they will achieve their goal, in terms of reminding the consumer of CK.On another note, couldn't this be considered more of a foursome, there is the third guy on the floor... just saying.

JessaG 3 years 48 weeks

It gets your attention and gets you talking about CK. Think of how many ads you are exposed to each day, and how many you can actually recall. This will be one that will stick in your mind, whether it is in a positive or negative way, isn't the point. I think they will achieve their goal, in terms of reminding the consumer of CK. On another note, couldn't this be considered more of a foursome, there is the third guy on the floor... just saying.

smartiez 3 years 48 weeks

HAHA his legs are shiny :)

smartiez 3 years 48 weeks

HAHA his legs are shiny :)

Meike 3 years 48 weeks

Haha, RoaringSilence. I live in Germany also. You're right. This is nothing. Have you seen the Mach's Mit ads? They are amusing.

Segat1 3 years 48 weeks

Why has that guy shaved his legs?

RoaringSilence 3 years 48 weeks

Oh my goodness, a young child would not think of sex when they see this, they'd think of kissing. And if they're old enough to get it, they know about the birds and bees already anyway, so what's the big deal. I am so glad I live in Germany. No one would even really look at this here.

RoaringSilence 3 years 48 weeks

Oh my goodness, a young child would not think of sex when they see this, they'd think of kissing. And if they're old enough to get it, they know about the birds and bees already anyway, so what's the big deal.I am so glad I live in Germany. No one would even really look at this here.

seraphmaiden 3 years 48 weeks

This ad doesn't make me want to buy jeans. It does, however, make me reconsider my views on having a threesome. ;)

3 years 48 weeks

i don't get it their are plenty of fashion ads featuring men with women and ones that have been far more sexual than this. What about that one which featured a dummy cut in half and one of the males models holding the legs as though he was having sex and the female model with the other half of the dummy on top of her. I thought that was far more scandalous.

3 years 48 weeks

REAL MEN HAVE FUR!

Amanda-La 3 years 48 weeks

Maybe if I buy these jeans guys will want to take them off of me and triple team me! Yay!

bgorgeouss 3 years 48 weeks

I don't like this ad at all and can see why people wouldn't want it on a giant billboard outside their home. A sexy image is a good way to sell clothing, but this add is more 'sexual' than sexy. Also, in my opinion, the use of a half-naked foursome image actually draws attention away from the main point of the add: the jeans. The jeans are either scrunched up or covered in this photo, and it doesn't make me want to buy them.

Meike 3 years 48 weeks

I have no problem with sexual innuendo in ads if it's done cleverly. Clearly, the marketing/design team at Calvin Klein lack creativity.

3 years 48 weeks

Is this supposed to be for some sort of shock value? My gosh, does sex have to be a part of absolutely aspect of everyone's life? Give it a rest already.

weffie 3 years 48 weeks

i guess it's a bit too hot for a huge billboard, but i don't think it's exploitative... i'd trade her places in a heartbeat :P

GlowingMoon 3 years 48 weeks

You know the saying -- Sex sells. :)

Jazz Z 3 years 48 weeks

Although Calvin Klein may be trying to attract a certain demographic, I think most in that demographic aren't participating in three or foursomes ~ and as *flyowsley (*I wonder what that means?) indicated, such advertising shouldn't be displayed on a huge billboard. There are people out there who are actually trying to encourage their children to be monogamous when they grow up. It certainly gestates a healthier environment. And those who appreciate those kinds of photos, certainly know where to find and enjoy them without having them forced in their faces in the size of a small house.

Amanda-La 3 years 48 weeks

It's sexy but I wouldn't want to explain it to my kids.

dikke kus 3 years 48 weeks

EXPLOITATION: Utilization of another person or group for selfish purposes. The treatment of human beings as mere means to an end — or as mere "objects". In different terms, "exploitation" refers to the use of people as a resource, with little or no consideration of their well-being. This can take the following basic forms: Advertising. A threesome? Yawn. That's been around since the bible was written. I guess Calvin Klein sinks to this level of advertising to be controversial and provocative. However its banal. Cheap. It's devoid of freshness and originality.This ad doesn't make you think. If we want to see a real threesome we'd find it somewhere else, but instead they try to ram it down our throats in fashion magazines. I have been an art director for years for two large retailers. Whoever decided to hire these models and direct this photo shoot had other choices. This ad is not innovative. This picture is not charting new waters. This ad is not respectful impact. This ad does not reach his past campaigns that quietly reveal the human body as evocative and beautiful as we walk through a train station. The sales and the ad will be short lived.

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