The fashion world has always made provocation, transgression and breaking the rules a strong point. Challenging conventions and consequently provoking controversy is almost the order of the day.
The campaigns of fashion houses have often been accused of exasperation and exaggeration, of provocation to the limits of decency or irresponsibility.

So we decided to put together the 10 most controversial campaigns in the fashion world.

Tom Ford Fragrance For Men – Terry Richardson 2007

This 2007 advertising campaign shot by Terry Richardson dedicated to Tom Ford‘s first men’s perfume, has been the subject of much criticism and has been banned in many countries around the world.

Sisley – Terry Richardson 2001

The famous 2001 Sisley campaign, once again shot by the controversial photographer Terry Richardson, was banned because of his daring and driven imagination.

United Colors of Benetton “UNHATE” – 2011

In the foreground the kiss on the mouth between Joseph Ratzinger and the Imam of the Cairo Al Ahzar mosque, Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed El-Tayeb, for the campaign signed United Colors of Benetton “UNHATE”. The reaction of the Vatican arrived within a few hours, defining the photograph “unacceptable”, the company removed it also because the giant picture of the kiss was posted on Ponte Sant’Angelo in Rome, very near St. Peter’s.

Gucci “Public Enemy” – Mario Testino 2003

The campaign shot by one of the most important and revered fashion photographers of all time, Mario Testino, starring model Carmen Kass showed Gucci‘s “G” on Kass’s groin and was censored amid many controversies.

United Colors of Benetton – David Kirby’s Final Moment 1992

The photo that Luciano Benetton and his consultant Oliviero Toscani chose for the 1992 campaign to sensitize public opinion and especially young people to the AIDS, which in those years claimed millions of victims mainly for lack of information and awareness of the real danger of the syndrome, is harsh, crude and highly controversial. This photo taken by David Kirby changed forever the perception of AIDS all over the world.

Miu Miu – Spring/Summer 2015

Taken by Steven Meisel the Miu Miu SS15 campaign was labeled “irresponsible” because it showed what could be mistaken for a little girl in a sexually suggestive pose. The model of the photograph is Mia Goth who at the time of the shot was 22 years old but, despite the age of the protagonist, the campaign was withdrawn.

United Colors of Benetton – 1992

The union Benetton/Oliviero Toscani made a lot of discussion during the 18 years of partnership and in 1992 the Milanese photographer chose the theme of the death penalty for the company’s campaign. A photograph of an empty electric chair to raise public awareness of a problem unfortunately still unresolved.

Sisley – Terry Richardson 2003

The Brazilian super model Ana Beatriz Barros photographed by Terry Richardson in 2003 for the Sisley campaign was opposed and finally banned because of the provocative and sexually explicit imagery inherent in the shot.

Dolce & Gabbana – Spring/Summer 2007

Heavy criticism and cancellation for this very controversial Dolce & Gabbana campaign. The photo of the model Alessandra Ambrosio surrounded by 4 models was banned everywhere after her release in Spain also thanks to the indignation that arose because of the imagery related to rape that the shot seems to suggest.

Calvin Klein Jeans – Steven Meisel 1995

The CK Jeans campaign of 1995, shot in a wooden basement by Steven Meisel, immediately caused a stir. He accused the look of the models that seemed to be very young and photographed in sexually blinking poses with clear transparencies.