Playboy lingerie model Simone Holtznagel blasts complaints banned advert was like 'amateur porn'

Holtznagel accused those complaining of sexualising her body after lingerie advert is deemed to breach advertising ethics code

Guess model Simone Holtznagel (Getty Images)

A model has responded angrily after an advertising watchdog banned an underwear advert featuring her amid complaints that it was “vulgar” and “like a very amateur porn movie”.

Simone Holtznagel accused those who reported the advert to the Australian Advertising Standards Board (AASB) of sexualising her body and deeming a depiction of a “normal, womanly” body “offensive”.

The advert appeared in the windows of the Australian lingerie chain Bras N Things and showed Holtznagel, 23, modelling different types of Playboy underwear.

There was no audio other than music and no nudity, but a number of people made complaints to the AASB, prompting a review of the advert. One complaint read: “They were not merely modelling the underwear, they were moving suggestively, gyrating and looking lasciviously at the camera - like a very amateur porn movie. It was a demeaning and embarrassing display.”

In a decision published on 10 August, the watchdog concluded: “The Board considered that the advertisement did not treat the issue of sex, sexuality and nudity with sensitivity to the relevant audience.

"The Board determined that the advertisement did breach Section 2.4 of the Code [sex, sexuality and nudity].”

It added: "The Board noted the video depicts a model moving around and considered that the model is stroking her hair and moving her body suggestively and that this amounts to a sexualised impact."

Holtnznagel, a former contestant on Australia’s Next Top Model, issued an angry rebuttal to complaints, warning that such reactions to a woman’s body could prove damaging for other women.

In an Instagram post alongside the video of the advert, Holtznagel wrote: “The definition of porn is 'material containing the explicit description or display of sex organs or activity.' There is none of that here. How dare you sexualise my body. How dare - after all society's requests- you take a confident and carefree depiction of a normal, healthy womanly body, promoting women's products to women, and deem it offensive. Do not impress your insecurities on me, whether physical or sexual.

“By saying my body, just comfortably being my body, is somehow 'wrong' or 'dirty' you are insulting and potentially damaging any woman who may identify with me. Keep your neuroses off my body and go watch some REAL porn, you might be less uptight.

“Some people really do have too much time on their hands. I see people wearing less on the street and in shopping centres these days.

"So deepest apologies to the poor soul who was so offended by my 'vulgar' behaviour. But I shall continue on in being fearlessly me and embracing my curves and my confidence, and I encourage all women to do the same - and if that's so wrong then I don't want to be right.”