In the wake of the #MeToo movement, many deem the ad, which shows the model getting cat-called while walking through a city with sparkling boots on, 'tone deaf' and 'regressive.'
- Dec 23, 2017
AceShowbiz - Jimmy Choo has been forced to pull an advertisement starring Cara Delevingne after it sparked backlash. The "Shimmer in the Dark" ad, which shows the model getting cat-called while walking through a city with sparkling boots on, was yanked from its Twitter page on Friday, December 22, though it still exists on YouTube.
The nearly-two-minute ad features 25-year-old Cara sizzling in a sequined red mini dress and black sock booties that appear to be covered in rhinestones. As she struts her way in the New York City streets at night, she is met with several whistles and long stares, with a man at one point shouting, "Nice shoes, lady."
While the ad apparently intends to capture the fun spirit of the shimmering shoes, many on Twitter were calling the ad "tone deaf" and "regressive" in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Expressing his/her dismay on the micro-blogging site, one person pointed out, "Cat calling is not sexy." Another chimed in, "Nothing says 'buy me' like sexual harassment."
"Perhaps now is not the best moment to run an ad about how cool and sexy catcalling is?" one wondered. "Why would this sell shoes?" another asked, to which another user responded, "Totally. I lived in NYC in my 20s and when I watch it, it makes my stomach hurt."
Perhaps now is not the best moment to run an ad about how cool and sexy catcalling is? https://t.co/8TK9huRHLL
— Jessica Valenti (@JessicaValenti) December 19, 2017
Why would this sell shoes?
— Freda (@fredaspeaks) December 19, 2017
Totally. I lived in NYC in my 20s and when I watch it, it makes my stomach hurt.
— Bonnie Bauman (@bonbauman) December 19, 2017
Others wrote similar comments like "Because women are still just shiny objects...," "Because being cat-called and harassed on the streets of NYC is just so cool, sexy and fun! Wow. Read the room Jimmy Choo!" and "Hey ladies, buy our shoes! You'll have to beat men off with a stick! No, really! Buy two pairs now and get a Jimmy Choo man-beating stick absolutely free!"
Because women are still just shiny objects...
@jimmychoo @Caradelevingne #catcalling ad is tone deaf https://t.co/I4MTdVHt5i via @i_D
— Karolina Simanaitytė (@Sima_Science) December 21, 2017
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
Hey ladies, buy our shoes! You'll have to beat men off with a stick! No, really! Buy two pairs now and get a Jimmy Choo man-beating stick absolutely free!
— Nick (@nabinnyc) December 20, 2017
There was also a fan who wrote, "Oh dear @Caradelevingne. Sad that you took part in this awful, regressive advertisement." Another commented, "I completely disagree with @Caradelevingne and @jimmychoo decision to use #sexualHarassment to sell shoes. #toneDeaf."
Oh dear @Caradelevingne. Sad that you took part in this awful, regressive advertisement.
— Ms Person (@MsPerson) December 19, 2017
I completely disagree with @Caradelevingne and @jimmychoo decision to use #sexualHarassment to sell shoes. #toneDeaf
— Krystal Atha (@Atha01) December 19, 2017
Jimmy Choo shoes and Cara haven't responded to the controversy.
