Calvin Klein 'Threesome' Billboard Raises Eyebrows (VIDEO, POLL)

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NEW YORK -- A racy Calvin Klein billboard is raising even New Yorkers' jaded eyebrows, with some passers-by saying the clothing maker crossed the line with its sexy advertisement.

The new billboard shows a young woman lying on top of a man, while kissing another man. All three models are topless. Another male model reclines on the floor with his jeans unbuttoned.

"I think it's obscene," said Rachelle Brunn, who was passing by the extremely large billboard in Manhattan's Soho neighborhood. "They always have ads that are pushing the envelope, but this one is the worst I've seen since I've been here. My biggest concern is that it gives teens the wrong idea."

But Carmen Guzman wasn't bothered by the ad. She said Americans see this kind of advertising everywhere, especially in the Big Apple.

"This is really nothing new," Guzman said.

New York-based Calvin Klein has long been known for provocative advertising. Brooke Shields famously advertised second-skin Calvin Klein jeans in 1981 when she was a teenager, while model Kate Moss has also appeared in sexy ads.

Meanwhile, tourist Jodi Baron, who was visiting New York City from Cleveland, said the billboard's location didn't matter.

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"One girl. Three guys. No shirts. It's not the best way to depict women," Baron said. "I don't care if it's New York City. I think it's really inappropriate."

Calvin Klein sells clothing and accessories, among other merchandise.

A representative for Calvin Klein declined to comment on the billboard.

Calvin Klein is owned by Phillips-Van Heusen Corp., which also owns the Bass and IZOD brands.

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Comments

[awaitingmd]

gosh what is wrong with the ad. sex is in the air in America. it beats my imagination when people act ignorant of that. if you dont like an ad. then ignore it.

[JiltedJane]

Oh my God..... who cares about the ad. Calvin Klein DOES NOT have to be a role model for your children. If you have a problem with that type of expression, then teach your kids YOUR VALUES. Everyone complains complains complains about every little thing. Well guess what.. CALVIN DOESN"T CARE ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK!!!! Whether he has racy ads or not.. he has made his money 100 times over with or without your purchases and he will continue to do so. So, get over it. There are more bigger issues going on in the world, other than a billboard ad. Stop all the complaining and get a life.

[AZ4thatone]

I find it interesting that this giant ad, of 4 people engaging in petting, can go up in a hugely populated area in NYC without anyone complaining that it will rip at the foundation of marriage between a "man and a woman"; while we still argue that two loving individuals (of the same sex) that want to enter into a commited marriage are denied that right all over the country. Why is the ad ok and gay marriage isn't?

[bunnylogic]

The whole thing smacks of hypocracy and immaturity. It's unbelievable that we are still fighting for equal rights and women's right to chose.

[bunnylogic]

I cant get over how backward the US continues to be! As a former Londoner (where this kind of a hoo-hah would never happen over something so silly: it's a fashion ad - it provokes, big whoop!) I think it's time the country gets over its juvenile hangups with four letter words, partial nudity, suggested sexuality in the media - the list goes on. Granted, there needs to be a watershed on tv (say 9pm) after which saying G@d (can't believe I have to censor on HuffPo as well!) sh|t is fine - we're all grown ups and it's not like your precious children don't already have these elements around them by the time they're what, like 12? If not earlier!
There's such a frustrating amount of head-in-the-sand, hyprocracy, what-we-do­nt-know-wo­nt-hurt-us mentaility here and not only socially and in the media but also re.domestic violence, child abuse, abuse of the elderly - I could go on.
The country as a whole needs to grow up, face facts and stop trying to opress their own growth. Of course religion is to blame, but isnt the US supposed to be a secular, progressive nation?

[wendycee]

I mean I HOPE YOU CAN!! Give Calvin a call--he's free at this time to give advice!!

[wendycee]

OH myyyy CK---when you have absolutely zero creative talent one turns to making porn for fast dollars. I hope you cannot re-create your brand soon with fresh, youthful inspiring ideas--then I would want my daughters wearing your products again! Good luck!

[Libertine58]

It's nice to see that advertising is acknowledging that not everyone in the world is monogamous, nor cares to be.

[JScott]

Hmmm In LA I'd think there would be more of an uproar over a supergraphic like this goin up on the side of a building and lit wth LED lights regardless of what the subject matter is, but I guess there's no limiting supergraphic billboards on the side of buildings in NYC.

[pokemon]

There is nothing wrong with a 3-some.. my choice was 2 girls but if that floats a females boat have at it..

[skyslimit]

It's only because there are 2 guys involved. It's fine for Tom Ford to post on the cover with 2 naked women.

[eristeleute]

I just mentioned that in another comment!

Most of these posters would not be equally enraged by seeing a male pop/rap/movie star surrounded by several semi-nude women. I believe that the outrage about this ad has more to do with flipped norms and society's homophobia than anything about "risky" sex or the degradation of women.

[Marina56]

Actually, I would find it less problematic if it were four guys, or four women.

I despise ads portraying a man with women clinging all over him, no matter the state of dress/undress of any of them. They are sexist in my view.

[Bluejay00234]

That looks like a foursome to me. I wouldn't mind making it a five. lol

[Norak]

And that''s probably the reaction CK seeks. Shads of Orwll's "1984. " Keep the proles happy with accessible sex and drugs so a small cabal of the powerful can run the country. I'm pretty much a free thinker and liberal but something like this is just too manipulative. Yes, I know it's an ad. I just don't think it's in the right direction.

[LuckyLT2]

I counted the same amount. LOL!! I guess they're not counting the guy that's about to freak himself on the floor.

[chill4asec]

Where's a moderator when you need one. Isn't it ironic that someone is monitoring our keystrokes to ensure that we are not offensive yet CK can plaster this crap anywhere it wants, call it art, claim its free speech, and label us intolerant if we admit it makes us sick.

[AmandaBC]

All hail ce.nsorship! It works wonders! Because of that, Iran has no h.omosexuals!!

[Marina56]

Iran "has no homosexuals" because Ahmadinejad is in a state of denial, not because of censorship. (The "academician" might want to educate herself about the definition of "censorship.")

Although it is rather cute that someone who has such a problem accepting that others have different opinions even speaks of censorship.

[chill4asec]

Its not a question of censorship. In a free society we have the right to say pretty much anything we want. Its primarily our shared sense of values that holds us back. Some tend to look at those who push the envelope as "ground breakers". The fact is, we've been down this route before.

[HHarvey]

Lucky girl! There's nothing wrong with that billboard except to cause a few traffic accidents.

[minigreek87]

Someone had written about this weeks ago.

http://thezaz.nationallampoon.com/articles/whats-the-deal-with-this-billboard/

[chill4asec]

Its pretty sick. Nothing against porno. I Iike porno, but this bi-sexual threesome stuff is a bit too much for me. If you want to blow some guy while your girlfriend kisses him and a third wheel masturbates, don't ask me to watch. I'm hoping youre a small minority of the population. I'm not buying your jeans. And if this is what young men are doing when we thought they were playing "Madden" tournaments, then I finally understand why my younger sister had such a hard time finding a real man.

[AmandaBC]

"Its pretty sick. Nothing against porno. I Iike porno, but this bi-sexual threesome stuff is a bit too much for me."

Yeah, and you are the absolute arbiter of decency in the world. Just a tiny bit arrogant, aren't we?

[Marina56]

Pot calling kettle black. LOL!!!

[chill4asec]

Did you want honesty or "political correctness". I'm not being arrogant or hypocritical. I'm stating my opinion. It seems that some of us are so caught up in "sexual honesty" and "free speech" that we are mirroring the mistakes made in that age old parable, The Emperor's New Clothes. There is nothing new or groundbreaking in these ads. Its obscene, its softcore porn with hardcore implications, its crap. It violates or cultural norms and mores. I'm no "arbiter of decency, I'm just excercising my free speech rights to say so.