Reading Cindy’s, one of my classmates’, blog post \”Sex Sells\” reminded me of all the sexual innuendoes in a myriad number of advertisements. From fashion (Tom Ford) to movies (EuroTrip) to food (PETA), there are ads that are sexually suggestive. The aspect that I want to analyze here is not whether sex sells or not (because I totally agree with Cindy it does); rather, I want to talk about how ethical (or unethical) it is too put these ads out in public, where seniors, adults, teenagers, tweens and even toddlers can be exposed to them.
In terms of sexuality in fashion, the first designer that comes in mind is the one-and-only Tom Ford, who is never afraid to put out some of the most provocative ads that challenges the bottom-line of sexuality in fashion. An example is this Gucci ad, in which the model’s pubic hair is shaved into a “G” shape to symbolize how branded and label-obsessed the world can be today. This ad was published in all sorts of fashion magazine targeted for higher-income adults; however, there are still chances where young people can see this. Thus, the question is, should these ads be allowed? Of course, people who are for the ads would appeal to the laws on the freedom of expression. Yet, people who are against this would appeal to whether it is ethical or responsible to put such provocative ads out to merely attraction attention to the brand.
In my opinion, I think it is okay for these ads to created. The reasons are: (1) parents are responsible for “protecting” their children from these types of “bad influences” if they want to; just like J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye, you can never completely shield “evil” from children. (2) This Gucci ad, for example, actually provides a very important lesson – people are too obsessed with brands (especially high-end brands) and it might be a bad thing (although Tom Ford is a leading man in the fashion industry.) If offers a lesson to teenagers/adults who aspire too much to buying expensive brands.