The Italian Advertising Institute (IAI) has banned this ad for Tom Ford sunglasses with a man putting his finger in a woman’s mouth. Oddly, it wasn’t bothered by the other shots in the series – a naked woman clutching a man’s crotch and another with a naked woman ironing while a man sits smoking a cigar (personally, I find THAT offensive! Ironing! Cigars! Two of my least favourite things in the world).
The IAI has called the finger pic "sexually implicit," harping on its "explicit and
provocative character," and saying the image "goes beyond acceptable
limits for advertising aimed at the general public.
The ad "is an offensive gesture which insults women and the dignity of all", it concluded.
Do you remember the Gucci campaign where Tom Ford had a woman’s
pubic hair shaved into the shape of a Gucci G? That was spesh. But not
offensive apparently.
That ad, plus another inoffensive Tom Ford ad after the jump.
EAU DE HOOHA The real Tom Ford fragrance ad
Comments
15 Comments so far
The finger one is erotic and suggestive, but the pubic hair ad and the last ad are just yuck. No style or subtlety there.
Kelly
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Oh, good point Richard … now I totally get the sexual nature of this ad! Props to Tom Ford – interesting that a gay man uses such sexually hetero images!
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Danielle, us guys often refer to the middle finger not as the “rude” one but as the “social finger”.
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Maybe it’s her teeth that are offensive.
She’s a biter!
And yes, on investigation, Tom is hot!
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Living in Italy at the moment I can tell u that “hands” are esteemed highly for expressing emotion… Think of the Italian stereotype and its obvious… I was translating a beautiful poem the other day which constantly referred back to the hand or hands and in English it just didnt convey the same intended meaning…
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Mia’s Essential Baby post is up:
http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/parenting/community/gender-stereotypes-20080827-43ev.html?page=-1
Mia asks – Do you think it’s easier to parent boys or girls? Or do you think it’s a child’s personality or star sign more than their gender that determines their character?
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While you may be a classy and wacky lot on others posts, on this one you are a decidedly raunchy bunch! I don’t find the image of a naked woman grabbing a man’s crotch offensive, unless she is being a tad violent about it. Ironing, on the other hand, should be considered an offensive, though sometimes necessary activity.
My Mum ironing Dad’s socks and undies in the 60s was not a necessary activity and is much more offensive than any playful cigar smoking. You can thank me for sharing that image later.
And the picture of a woman ironing for the man, well, let’s face it, ladies, you do it better than us. I’ve been told that I start at the wrong end of the shirt. Huh ? it’s a shirt, not a thesis in sartorial elegance, especially if you buy them from Lowes.
Now who’s the classy one ?
Though I haven’t heard of Tom Ford previously, (what, Old Spice and Brut aren’t good enough anymore), I do like the way he counters claims that he objectifies women, by stating that he is ‘an equal opportunity objectifier’.
I found his ads to be provocatively playful, risque and as much as possible, tastefully done. Unfortunately, NumberChick, that link you posted was way too confrontational for me.
Guess it’s the good old double standard.
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I googled that breastfeeding woman and found a link with a longer article and a video *shudder* which I watched for as long as I could cope and without sound mind you.
http://news.five.tv/news.php?news=633
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thought I’d share this link regarding Tom Ford (who incidently is exceptionally hot) – yeah his ads are rude and controversial but isn’t some variety refreshing??
This is a pic of a spoof on his ads – which actually has Tom’s hands in the shot. I think it’s great!
http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2007/10/tom-fords-secret-fragrance-ad.php
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Anyone else realise he’s putting his middle “rude” finger in her mouth. lol. Like “F U, Suck this”. It’s more aggressive than the other two. Sure the others are more sexually explicit but it a more sensual way. Censorship sucks.
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Snap Temmy, I’m with you – the ad’s are hot – Tom Ford is HOT!
The ad with the perfume between the legs is aimed at men, and I would say it probably hit the spot!! The G pubic hair is a very cool image, and I’m not offended by a chick ironing or a man with a cigar – it’s just imagery & really meant to be provocative (both sexually and socially).
As far as the finger ad – weird that it was banned. But.. on the Tom Ford website, the entire collection of Spring 2008 ads are acknowledged to be sexually explicit. So, I’m sure they expected and hoped for some controversy!
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Tom Ford is HOT. He can shave my pubes into a Gucci logo any day!
Then I’ll lie back and smoke a cigar while he irons my designer dresses. Phwoar!
*Happy place
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OMG. Just all so wrong, wrong, wrong! Do these ads really motivate people to buy Tom Ford products?!
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They’re all so gross!!!
And apparently the picture of “a naked woman clutching a man’s crotch” does NOT go “beyond acceptable limits for advertising aimed at the general public”.
Before long we’d have hardcore porn splattered all over our billboards.
Oh God!
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It’s all feral. What is wrong with people?
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