Minority Azerbaijan - Bag ad sparks a scandal

Valentino bag ad sparks a scandal

The shot with a nude photographer angered fans of the brand. They did not appreciate the idea of the campaign to blur gender boundaries.

Recently, a photo from an advertising campaign dedicated to the new Roman Stud bag appeared on the Instagram of the Valentino brand. The self-portrait of nude photographer Michael Bailey-Gates caused a storm in the comments.

Many fans of the brand have appreciated the campaign's message of breaking down gender boundaries. However, some followers were outraged by the idea of advertising, calling it "meaningless" and expressing "disrespect for women."

"This has nothing to do with creative freedom!", "I wanted such a handbag. Now I don't want to!" - noted critical commentators.

Valentino's creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli reacted to the serious controversy.

“After we posted this photo, many people reacted to it with aggression and hatred. My job is to convey my vision of beauty in accordance with the times in which we live ...

All self-awareness movements are guided by the same idea: evolution is possible if equality is possible, if inclusiveness is possible, if human rights and freedom of expression are protected. Hate is not an expression, hate is a reaction to fear, and fear can easily turn into violence. We must confront all forms of violence, hatred, discrimination and racism, and I am proud to be able to use my voice and my work to do this, now and forever. This is a self-portrait of a young handsome man, and evil is in the eyes of the beholder, and not in his naked body, "said the designer.

Michael himself also commented on the situation.

"I appreciate the support for this photo and the discussion it has generated. I would appreciate it if the same attention was paid to the terrible bills on transgender youth that are being proposed and adopted in the United States," the photographer wrote on the social network.