People are angry about a sexist ad that features Cara Delevingne getting catcalled
In a move that many are calling tone-deaf, Jimmy Choo released an ad that features Cara Delevingne getting catcalled for about two straight minutes. And no, we’re not exaggerating.
The mini-promotional film initially features a woman (soon revealed to be Delevingne) strutting down the street in a pair of glittery black Jimmy Choo booties. She wears a sparkly red mini-dress, and moves with visible confidence. Everything about her screams “empowered woman.” However, as she walks, people all around her — men on street corners, taxi drivers, and random dudes — begin to catcall and whistle. And it’s seemingly a positive thing.
Jimmy Choo 'catcall' ad sparks outrage https://t.co/TAfHRvNg9R
— SBS News (@SBSNews) December 20, 2017
It’s possible that the brand intended to imply that it’s the shoes, not the woman wearing them, receiving the attention, but the line is so blurred that the message was lost (again, if that even was the intended message). As it stands, the viewer is left with the distinct impression that Jimmy Choo is glamorizing what is to most women an extremely uncomfortable, if not outright scary, real-life situation.
Some have taken to the internet to voice their concern.
Because being cat-called and harassed on the streets of NYC is just so cool, sexy and fun! Wow. Read the room Jimmy Choo!
— Bonnie Bauman (@bonbauman) December 19, 2017
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During a time when so very many women are coming forward with stories of abuse — often in the form of verbal objectification and harassment — this is absolutely not the message we want sent to women and girls, and it’s unfortunate that Jimmy Choo’s creative and account teams greenlit the concept.
You can see the full video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPrRRgagQg8?start=42&feature=oembed
The brand has yet to comment on the backlash, but we hope they’re listening.
