The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has overturned its decision regarding a Calvin Klein poster featuring UK musician FKA Twigs, originally banned in January after complaints of it portraying her as a “stereotypical sexual object.” 

The ASA reevaluated, expressing concern about the flawed rationale behind the initial ban, stating that the image was not sexually explicit. The council emphasized that the ad depicted FKA Twigs as confident and in control, refuting claims of objectification. 

FKA Twigs, also known as Tahliah Debrett Barnett, criticized the initial decision, asserting that the label of a “stereotypical sexual object” didn’t align with her perception as a strong woman of color. 

Calvin Klein supported the ad, describing FKA Twigs as a “confident and empowered woman” who had approved the image before publication. 

The ASA, in balancing freedom of expression and public protection, faced challenges in deciding on such advertisements that reach both children and adults in untargeted spaces.