ad from Dolce and Gabbana - what do you think?

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, the duo behind the popular design label D&G, are withdrawing their ad from circulation after protests erupted in Italy and Spain.

The ad, which women's rights groups call a 'fantasy rape,' features a lone woman in a prone position being held down by a shirt-less man while a group of men looks on. While D&G is known for their racy ad campaigns, many women's groups think this photo has gone too far and that it promotes violence against women.

In the U.S, the ad ran in the March issue of Esquire and it promted this response from Kim Gandy, President of the National Organization for Women: '...the idea that even a stylized image of rape appeals to a broad readership of men is disturbing.'

Dolce & Gabbana insist that the ad was never meant to be controversial and that it represented an erotic dream; a sexual game.

The timing for the ad's release couldn't have been worse; Spain was in the midst of dealing with a large wave of crimes against women at the time of publication, and public outrage over the image was high.

Earlier this week, after demands from the Spanish government and Italian senators, Dolce and Gabbana decided to withdraw the ads from all publications.

The debate rages over whether or not this image represents an artistic interpretation of a sexual fantasy, or if it just glorifies rape. As the fashion industry continues to push the envelope and strives to remain cutting edge the line between risque and offensive continues to blur.

They look like they're bored. Or voyeurs. I don't think it looks like rape either. And I know many women who have had domination fantasies.

I guess I just don't see it. I thought the CK commercials of years ago were so much worse than this looks.

The guys faces were secondary to me - they do look bored though now that I'm looking at them.

But the image still freaks me out.

I can see that. Especially if you read the article behind it before you look at the picture. I was very bothered by a rape scene in the Sopranos years ago, I had such a strong reaction to it, and something I'd never have guessed.

But once that's on your mind, it's easy to interpret it that way. I think if her face was turned towards him, it would give it a different feel too.

I'm so lazy that when I see a longish post with a picture, I look at the picture first. I was freaked out by it, so that's what made me read it.

But yes, Greeny, the aricle can color or alter your perception of the ad.

Its a submissive photo for the most part, although with her torso up, it does show that she is into it...

Which can upset people if they are viewing it in the rape aspect - that women secretly enjoy or wish to be raped.... But, it can also be seen as a domination and voyeuristic fantasy...

The guys look like a bunch of pencilnecks and I am not sure if they could even hold her down.

I hate the way they are all greased up for the photo.

It just looks like an ad to me...

Many women have domination fantasies - myself included. I don't know.... How far is too far?

I think sometimes we all (meaning the public at large) get into these moods where certain things are just not OK or are suddenly disturbing...

Yet when we allow our own children to view, listen to and dress in a sexually explicit way it's ok... (Ok that was a crappy sentence but you know what I mean)

Whatever - as an ad agency read the news and check yourself in the mirror before printing anything. If they had added another woman in this picture I doubt anyone would be talking about it....

Good thread.... Great question....

I am on the fence.

it is interesting...

they should have just stuck with soccer players.

Thanks Kitty!!

---

Posted by JessicaM.

I am on the fence.

it is interesting...

they should have just stuck with soccer players.

---

Word - my mother still thanks you for those ads