No Nips In The UK For American Apparel

Filed Under: Anglophilia Wacky, Tacky & True American Apparel

This American Apparel ad originally ran in the UK with six images rather than three. The three images that are currently on the ad were present, but three other nipple-baring pics were also in the mix (American Apparel loves them some nips). That is likely how the ad would still appear today, had a Brit not called and complained to the Advertising Standards authority in the U.K., concerned that the ad was sexualizing a child.

Upon confrontation, American Apparel responded that they did not think the ad was offensive, and that the model was 23 and "did not look under 16, nor was she portrayed as a sex object."

The ASA, which seems to understand the meaning of "sex object" a little bit better, did not concur with brand's defense, stating that "because the ad could be seen to sexualize a model who appeared to be a child under the age of 16 years, we concluded that it was inappropriate and could cause serious offense to some readers." Now the ad appears as shown.

And there you have it!

Posted: September 3, 2009 at 10:30 am