Klara Kristin responds to Calvin Klein ‘upskirt’ controversy

Last week, Calvin Klein’s new advertising campaign, photographed by Harley Weir, caused a bit of a stir. Like many of the brand’s ads before it, it sparked controversy on the grounds of its sexually provocative nature. One image in particular – an ‘upskirt’ shot of actress Klara Kristin – caused particular offense. 

While many people responded positively to the campaign, others called it “disgusting”, “offensive” and “sexist”. Weir has since said she was “really happy” with the response, and now Kristin herself has made her thoughts known. 

Posting the image in question to her Instagram account, she writes, “I LOVE this photo @harleyweir took of me...all this discussion about how alienated and scared some people are to (sic) the female human body… Be and love yourself and your sexuality.”

Of course, Kristin is no stranger to being upfront about sexuality – she starred in Gaspar Noe’s 3D sex movie, Love (2015). Calvin Klein is also in familiar territory – the brand received similar complaints following its 1981 ad featuring a suggestively posing 15-year-old Brooke Shields and, four years later, for another ad featuring three models in a state of undress, alluding to a ménage à trois. In fact, the brand’s AW95 campaign also featured an ‘upskirt’ shot and was accused of promoting ‘kiddie porn’.

No doubt, Kristin’s campaign has earned its place within Calvin’s history books of controversial ads.