The Most Controversial Ads in Fashion History

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Sex and fashion have long been intertwined. Sex and advertising – even longer. But, every now and again, someone in the fashion world causes a stir. We’ve uncovered seven of the most controversial ads ever released by the fashion industry. Enjoy.

American Apparel – 2003 to present

Dov Charney is as much provocateur as he is fashionista. Having drawn the condemnation of millions – from the religious right to the liberal NY blogger – Charney has relied on amateur models and pornstars to sell socks and other cottony goods. But for as much ire as American Apparel’s ads have drawn, many a competitor has drawn inspiration from Charney’s voyeuristic-snapshot style, proving that imitation is the sincerest result of controversy.

Tom Ford For Men – August 2007 to present

Tom Ford has made a living turning heads in the fashion world. Since his days of infusing sex into an anemic Gucci line, his name has been synonymous with controversy. The creative behind his latest cologne offering may not come as a surprise to the fashion faithful, but might make the conservative GQ reader sweat

Sisley – Sometime in 2001

Sisley has delivered consistently provocative ads for the better part of a decade. Whether it’s white residue in their model’s nose or mouth (see above), you can count on this Benetton Group company to push the envelope

Jordache – Late 70s, Early 80s

A topless woman in an advertisement…scandalous! Or at least it was in 1979. An aggressive print and television campaign featuring half-clothed models propelled Jordache into the public eye. Their current campaign features a topless Heidi Klum – paying homage to a banned commercial from 1980

Puma – Sometime around 2003

Regarded by many as a viral stunt gone awry, numerous media outlets have since determined these Lewinskious-ads to be disingenuous. Regardless, the damage (or success) of these faux-ads is done – in the blog universe, they’ve blown up

Akademics – 2004

With so many more overt ads to condemn, this cleverly worded campaign flew under the typical prude-radar. That is, until some loose-lipped highschooler spilled the beans that “Getting Brain” has a sexual connotation (see faux-Puma ads above). Akademics subsequently acknowledged their intent and pulled the ad from distribution

Dolce & Gabbana – January 2007

Banned in Italy, this Dolce & Gabbana advertisement has been criticized as a glorification of gang-rape. While one can never be sure of D&G’s true intent, the company’s penchant is for controversy. See this tribute to the faux-Puma ads aforementioned.