The model featured in a controversial Calvin Klein “upskirt” photo advert has defended the image, insisting its critics are “scared” of the female human body.
The fashion giant faced a backlash and was accused of "glamourising" sexual harassment after posting the photo of Danish actress Klara Kristin on its Instagram page.
Shot by photographer Harley Weir, the image shows Kristin posing with her underwear on show and the camera angle facing upwards from underneath her slip dress, with the slogan “I flash in #mycalvins”.
Writing on her Instagram page, 22-year-old Kristin, who posed for the shot for the company's spring 2016 underwear range, said: “I love this photo @harleyweir took of me.
“This discussion about it makes me think about how alienated and scared some people are of the female human body... Be and love yourself and your sexuality.”
She signed off the post with the hashtags #girlpower and #calvinklein.
US campaign group The National Center on Sexual Exploitation has launched a petition calling for the advert to be removed and branded the image “offensive”.
The “upskirt” shot also sparked a backlash on social media, with many accusing Calvin Klein of “trivialising” sexual harassment.
The row comes as campaigners say there has been a rise in "upskirt" photographs being taken of women on smartphones in public.
Other images from the brand's Erotica campaign include Kendall Jenner provocatively squeezing a grapefruit and a topless Saskia de Brauw – the Dutch artist and model.
Calvin Klein appears to be sticking to its guns as the image, which has more than 46,000 likes, remains on its Instagram site.
The Advertising Standards Authority said yesterday it had received a “handful” of complaints about the image.
An ASA spokesperson said: “At this moment in time, there is no evidence that this particular advertisement is running in the UK.
“If it does appear in the UK, we would assess any complaints we have received carefully before making a decision on whether to investigate.”
The Standard has contacted Calvin Klein for comment.
