Armani clothes advert 'sexualised children'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An advert for designer fashion brand Armani was criticised yesterday for "sexualising children".
An advert for designer fashion brand Armani was criticised yesterday for "sexualising children".
The advertisement featured a photograph of a seated long-haired boy wearingbaggy jeans and a necklace. The image, to promote Armani's Junior range of children's clothes, sparked 74 complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after it appeared in a magazine. Some described it as offensive because it sexualised children and encouraged them to emulate adults. Others said it exploited the child, or that it could encourage paedophiles.
Orthet, which holds the UK licence for Armani Junior , did not comment to the ASA on the complaints but agreed to withdraw the advert andnot to use it again. The Times told the watchdog it had received 10 complaints after the advert appeared in its magazine.
The ASA said the picture made the model's gender ambiguous and drew attention to the child's sexuality.
It concluded that because the advert sexualised the child it was likely to cause serious or widespread offence. It welcomed the decision to withdraw it, but suggested Orthet seek advice before advertising again.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments