Source: http://www.fashionadexplorer.com/l-suitsupply–c-ad-campaign–s-2010fw#UEebLSvPUJp2INdP

What’s Wrong With This Ad?

This ad for the menswear company, Suit Supply shows a young woman model wearing a short dress. She is sitting with her legs spread apart. A man, who is dressed in a suit, with an emotionless expression on his face, is lifting up the women’s skirt. He appears to be a businessman, and he has one hand in his pocket. The setting appears to be an expensive home, with marble walls. In the background there are alcohol bottles.

The problem with this ad is that it paints the picture of a man in a place of power because of his money and job. The woman is painted as powerless, and allows the man to do what he will to her (indeed, she appears to be either in the throws of passion or else intoxicated or high). Because of the man’s power, and the woman’s apparent lack of power, the man seems to be allowed to do what he wants with her.

This is, in fact, a major problem in our society. Where men in power feel they are allowed to sexually assault women because they have power over them, and then they are protected because of their power. The case of Harvey Weinstein is an example of this. Weinstein was a well-known, successful film director who assaulted many up-and-coming actresses. He abused his power, to do so, but because of his power he was also protected. Ads like this one only this behavior, and normalize it’s existence in our society.