Lingerie model defends ‘demeaning’ Bras N’ Things ad
The complainant claimed Holtznagel's "lascivious state" was degrading. Photo: YouTube
Australian model Simone Holtznagel has defended a lingerie ad found to be too sexy by the Advertising Standards Board (ASB).
The silent film for Bras N’ Things, starring Holtznagel modelling its ‘Playboy’ lingerie, received a complaint after it was played in the brand’s Highpoint store in Melbourne.
The complaint argued the video, which was only screened in-store, resembled an “amateur porn movie” and was “demeaning for any woman walking past”.
In its finding, the ASB noted that Holtznagel’s “level of nudity” was no different to any other lingerie brand’s advertising, but found the “manner in which it was modelled” breached the code.
“The focus is on the woman’s body rather than on what she is wearing,” it said.
Holtznagel expressed her fury at the decision on Instagram, calling the anonymous complainant a “prude”.
Watch the offending video below:
Holtznagel re-posted the video on her private account, praising Bras N’ Things for its “tasteful” campaign and defending her own body confidence.
“By saying my body … is somehow ‘wrong’ or ‘dirty’ you are insulting and potentially damaging any woman who may identify with me,” she wrote, sarcastically noting that the video was hardly out of place in a lingerie store.
“Keep your neuroses off my body and go watch some REAL porn, you might be less uptight.
“I shall continue on in being fearlessly me and embracing my curves and my confidence, and I encourage all women to do the same.”
Commenters on the post largely supported Holtznagel’s stance.
“You’re beautiful and your confidence is the most beautiful thing about you!” wrote one user.
Holtznagel (right) with her fellow Australia’s Next Top Model contenders in 2011. Photo: Getty
“Well said! And you are never vulgar, beautiful! Continue everything you do!” posted another.
Defending the complaint to the ASB, Bras N’ Things said it “did not feel that [it] breached any advertising standards” and that they had “received very little feedback from customers”.
Holtznagel modelling the Playboy range. Photo: Bras N’ Things
However, the brand advised it would remove the video “out of respect” for anyone offended and replaced it with still images from the campaign instead.
Video more offensive
Another complaint to the ASB in August referenced a still image from the same campaign, promoting the Playboy ‘Bunny Boost Plunge Double Push Up’.
“I understand that the business needs to advertise and sell their lingerie … But Highpoint is populated by large numbers of teenage and pre-teen boys and girls who cannot make a distinction between Playboy brand lingerie, and Playboy the brand that sexualises and sexually exploits women of all ages,” read the complaint.
The board found the image did not breach Australian advertising standards.
“The Board considered that the current advertisement did treat the issue of sex, sexuality and nudity with sensitivity to the relevant broad audience,” it wrote.
