Michelle's Media Blog

Well, these Calvin Klein ads certainly are racy! As you can see, these are very visual ads. Most of them show young teens standing in a very suspicious looking room. It looks like a place where nothing good could happen. The teens are standing in the center of the room. There is nothing but cheap 70’s wood paneling on the walls and a purple shag carpet. Does this scream pedophiles house or what? Also there is a ladder in the middle of the room where the teen often leans, or poses up against. The teens are not wearing anything but their CK jeans and some kind of a white top. For girls it is a white tank top, while for guys it is a t-shirt. Sure this may seem like a causal outfit now, but once seen in the ad you can tell there is some sexual content behind it. I almost believe that it is supposed to make the teen look innocent. With this innocent look you would not assume for the teen to be in any kind of sexual area. But really, it’s all wrong. There is a man behind the camera that is filming. He has a very low voice, and is often sounding as he is kind of whispering? He is the one who during the ad is talking to the teen. He speaks to them in a very odd way, asking briefly, sexual questions. Personally, if I were ever asked those questions by an old man in a basement like that, I would be out of there in a minute. When the teens answer the questions they seem very shy and timid. I also believe this is adding to their image of innocence. I feel strongly that there is a very sexual message behind all of these advertisements. Also, they in my opinion do fall under the category of pornography. The teens are displaying many sexual characteristics. Their poses, basic body language, clothing and even the language seems quite seductive.
I find these ads to be extremely controversial. These children are almost being somewhat exploited and they are all under the age of 16 (or looks like they are). They have definitely gained attention for Calvin Klein in general. They were very shocking ads, but I have to admit he did get his name out there. Now this may not have been the best way to do something like this, but he definitely made the news. I am glad that advertisements like these were taken down because I believe they may be just a bit too racy for people. You also have to think who the target audience of this ad is? Most likely teenagers! If teens see other teens acting this way then they may do the same, and that is the last thing we need now!