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Honey Birdette accused of ‘soft porn’ as three ads deemed too sexual

Infamous lingerie brand Honey Birdette has fallen foul of the advertising watchdog yet again, this time for posters featuring multiple women.

One of the posters titled ‘Surrender to her command Candice’ has been labelled as “soft porn” for featuring two women in red lace lingerie standing face to face.

Honey Birdette’s ‘Candice’ ad

A complaint posted to Ad Standards said: “These are soft porn , girl on girl advertising in a public place for children to see. Highly suggestive highly inappropriate.”

Another complaint argued that the product itself isn’t offensive, however, the “suggestive sexual positions of the models” is “inline with the porn industry”.

“In an age of sexism and violence against women, I don’t think this is acceptable subliminal messaging to the young boys that will pass by or maybe sit in front of it (there are seats around),” another complaint said.

Honey Birdette responded to the complaints stating it was “a target” and questioned why women’s nipples can’t be shown in advertising but men’s can.

“How is it that men’s nipples do not warrant complaint, however a highly faded  femalenipple that is covered by a lace bra can now lead to sexual assault.

“How offensive?! No child is looking at an image of a woman in lingerie and saying ‘I’m offended’. It’s a frightening development for the modern woman and Ad Standards decision is one we do not agree with. We are here to empower women and we are going to continue to do so.”

Another ad campaign of Honey Birdette’s has also been questioned. The ad features two women wearing a black lace bra as one straddles the other.

Honey Birdette’s Sienna ad

Similar to the ‘Candice’ campaign, complaints said the ad is “sexually explicit”, “pornographic” and too graphic for young boys to look at.

Ad Standards said that while the ads depict the women to be confident confident and comfortable and the ad didn’t suggest women were an object.

However, the ad watchdog said the “pose of the women is suggestive of an intimate or sexual relationship, and considered that such a pose would be considered not to treat sex with sensitivity”.

Ad Standards upheld the complaints, concluding that Honey Birdette did not treat the issue of sex, sexuality and nudity with sensitive to a broad audience which would include children.

Another version of Honey Birdette’s Sienna campaign, which featured a woman standing in black lingerie, was also banned for not treating the issue of sex, sexuality or nudity with sensitivity.

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