Clothing brand American Apparel is in trouble again with one of their adverts being the centre of heated debate.

The now-banned ad shows a youthful looking woman donning the “Lips Print Cotton Spandex Sleeveless Thong Bodysuit” (say that when you’re drunk).

The Advertising Standards Authority has said the ad sexualises children and that the model looks younger than 16 years of age, with American Apparel saying she is definitely 20. The brand also argued that the clothing has to be shown from all angles, hence the buttocks shot, and that the image is “consistent with standards contained in similar campaigns”.

The model was shown looking back at the camera over her shoulder with her buttocks visible. We (the ASA) considered that readers were likely to interpret the model’s expression and pose as being sexual in nature.

Oh, and, oops! We found her again, this time not as ‘photoshopped’…

Oh, please. There are teenagers in Cape Town wearing those god-awful high waisted shorts that make your arse look huge that are about the same size as that. And certainly there are swimming costumes very similar to this on Clifton 4th… what do you think?

[Source: Fortune]