Calvin Klein Billboard On East Houston And Lafayette Streets Raises Eyebrows

Calvin Klein Billboard Getting Attention In Lower Manhattan

March 28, 2011 4:00 PM

Calvin Klein billboard on East Houston and Lafayette streets (Photo/Walter Geis)

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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Calvin Klein is pushing the line again with one of its ads. Or maybe it isn’t.

The latest Calvin Klein billboard drawing attention from pedestrians — especially men – in the intersection of East Houston and Lafayette streets in lower Manhattan seems, to some, to include a certain sexually suggestive word.

Which word, you ask?

Well, as Ralphie put it in ‘A Christmas Story,’ it’s “THE word, the big one, the queen mother of dirty words, the F-dash-dash-dash word.”

But it’s not that simple.

The “F” word, if it’s there at all, isn’t spelled out in block letters. Not completely.

It starts with a small table in the background that’s partially blocked out by one of Calvin Klein’s typical thin and attractive young models. The table’s left leg, table top and support bar seem to form the letter F.

The model’s bikini briefs, which may have been strategically placed just to the right of the F, could be seen as a U.

Then there’s the C and K from Calvin Klein’s “CK One” logo.

Do you think the new add is sending the wrong message? Sound off below

Put them all together and you get what some might see as a sexually charged subliminal message.

“The ‘F’ word!” said Jean, from Manhattan, who doesn’t think the billboard is appropriate in public. “It’s subliminal messaging. I don’t think it’s healthy or good for anyone, not even just young kids.”

“I think it’s disgusting, they shouldn’t have that out here,” said Mandy, from Browns Mills, N.J.

Ashley, from Manhattan, spotted the “F” word but wasn’t so sure Calvin Klein had anything up its sleeve.

“Maybe it was a happy accident,” she said.

Perhaps, but if it was, it joins a long line of “happy accidents” that Calvin Klein has had in its ads over the years.

In the 80s, the designer made headlines with a controversial commercial that featured a 15-year-old Brooke Shields asking “Do you want to know what comes between me and my Calvins?”

(The answer: “Nothing!”)

More recently, a Calvin Klein ad featuring two men and a woman in a sexually suggestive pose was pulled in Australia because some felt it promoted group sex and/or rape.

Not everyone, however, thinks Calvin Klein was sending a subliminal sex message with its new Manhattan billboard. At least not the ‘F’ word.

“I guess you could make that argument,” said Roland, from Jersey City. “If you’re really paying attention and you’re trying to read into detail, you can make that argument, but I’m not picking it up, to be quite honest.”

Chris, visiting New York City from Portland doesn’t think the billboard needs anything extra to attract attention.

“A half naked 16-year-old should’ve been enough.”

Calvin Klein Billboard Getting Attention In Lower Manhattan

jagdish

This could also be a good ad campaign for the milk industry. Mamma!
Hector J Ramirez

Subliminal messages go way back; The “U” is clearly her vagina. It also implies that “U” should “*CK” one. The subconscious is a powerful tool, to help you or to “**CK” you!
jrobinson

I don’t get it. Even if you are right – and this is a subliminal message – the message would seem to be a negative one. Isn’t the message simply, F*CK CK One? I’m not sure that would make people go out and buy it. If GM ran an ad that had a subliminal message in it that said, “F*CK GM”… would that make you buy a GM car? And if it does… if the mere mention of the F word makes some people buy something… then they’re obviously idiots and aren’t worth the time. We should be happy that CK One is taking their money.

Nate

It’s suggesting you’ll get laid if you buy their product.

It’s cool if your kids are obsessed with sex? You’re cool with people messing with your subconcious? Yea, maybe people are idiots. But a lot of idiots make our world go ’round and we better take care of them for our own sake.

jrobinson

I think you’re giving it too much credit. If I say F*CK YOU – does your subconscious think I want to have sex with you?

Nate

I see a lot of people not getting the point in the comments section. Subliminal messages are not meant for your concious mind to read and understand but for your subconcious to take in and act on. Some call this brain washing. There’s a lot more of these cases all through the advertising industry, a simple google search will bring up hundreds.
Robert

More free advertising for Calvin Klein thanks to 1010WINS…I hope CK sends you all a nice Christmas card.
http://obbop.wordpress.com/ obbop

Shoulda’ used the tyke with the padded bra to cover/convey the naughty word.
John

I see GIRL + CK = Chick

Rodin

Klein should hire you. You good!

Foobar

Funny how everyone sees her boobs, but nobody notices the more obvious “U” surrounding them… formed by her bra.

It’s very creative, but it’s definitely f’d up…
Earl Butz

FFFFF-u-u-u-u!
Dwayne

Way to tackle the tough issues, CBS.
Didnt Get Past The Boobs

This was an article about boobs right?
Amo

Too busy staring at the tits.

Marcus

that’s probably because your brain (if you have one) is between your legs.

John Q

Judging by my own childhood, I wouldn’t have noticed it at all. Kids don”t look at ads for adult stuff. People who find things like this now probably spent all their time in the past playing their albums backwards listening for the devil in the lyrics.

Chip

The point to subliminal advertising is that you’re NOT SUPPOSED to notice it, John Q. Your brain notices it for you and then the company wins because they get their explicit message across without actually offending you. Neat, huh?

John Q

The point I was trying to make was that as a pre-teen, I wouldn’t have even looked at the ad at all. Only adults perceive these issues so who is being harmed? Like an email reporting a false virus, the commotion is causing more damage than the ad itself.

you go calvin

who cares. it gives me a chubby since my wife doesnt.
nathan

Another waste of time item on an increasingly irrelevant website. News please.
fipper

can’t imagine there are people who have nothing else better to do than stare at billboards all day.
JJ

I think its less racy than the Brooke Shields stuff that was done in the early 80s. That was seriously hot. And NOT appropriate for kids to watch. This is just another scantily clad girl with the CK word. (not the f word. there is no f. or u.)
mike l

are you serious? you should be more upset for the womans chest then the “WORD” that’s not even there. If that was their intentions, then fire the advertisers.
NJ Reader

How come they didn’t add that the “U” is formed by her bathing suit/bra top? But honestly I had no idea what the “terrible” word was until I read the article….so kudos once again to thr media for giving the attention to such “worthy” news…I am sure the CK execs thank you for the free advertising as well….
sk

CK has been putting up racy/inappropriate ads for many years now an dthey usually win the battle! so Ck likes all this publicity and attention. this girs is not even attractive she is really creepy looking so waht are they advertising? if she was on a billborad of something unknown no one would even notice it, but CK knows they can do waht ever tehy want!

Rodin

Equating “racy” with “inappropriate’ makes me sad for you. What a dull life you must lead.

Your lack of writing ability and atrocious spelling makes you totally pathetic. Please stop flaunting your very defective education.

“Nail up some indecency in plain sight over your door; from that time forward you will be rid of all respectable people,the most insupportable folk God has created.” – Paul Gauguin

dee

That was a weak argument. You just put down someone who didn’t agree with you, that’s all. Instead of getting plain defensive, try explaining WHY you believe what you do, and get through to someone. Insults are not convincing arguments on why you feel their opinions are incorrect.
dee

And your grammar in some of the previous posts has been poor also…
sk

First, someone lives a dull life because she doesn’t like inappropriate ads? I don’t feel that way, maybe you do! besides, what makes you so mad about my comment? do you work for CK? what are you so defensive about?

Bklyn mom

Seriously, people, get over yourselves! Advertising is supposed to entice, attract attention, etc. If you’ve been to Europe, their billboards have half naked women on them advertising the most mundane items. Stop being so prudish. I bet you say the F word in front of your kids all the time without thinking twice!

Girls are Yum

Bklyn mom,

Agreed. The billboard raised more than my eyebrow.

Rodin

YEAH, raised more than my eyebrows too!

pugphan

Thank you women’s lib, and a woman’s right to choose, you’re free at last, uh.
smokersodyssey.com
NYCEmpolyee

what is the big deal people, the F word can be hear on radio, tv, online, itune, podcast, XM…………………….This is America
Rodin

BRILLIANT!!!

Brilliant for Klein; brilliant for his ad people; Brilliant for whoever notices; brilliant for whoever imagined it (if it was not there).

And ‘Karma’ is right.

Kudos!
Karma is a hell of a thing

you really think men will see anything beyond her boobs…i think not. i’ve seen worse.