Should men be objectified by women? A controversial fashion campaign sparks debate

Seeing women being objectified in advertising campaigns is unfortunately a regular occurrence, but what about the objectification of men?

The campaign was created in order to highlight the fact that the brand “specialise in suits, but we’re not dressing men.”" data-reactid="23" style="margin-bottom: 1em; color: rgb(38, 40, 42); font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Women’s tailoring brand Suistudio recently revealed a new suit campaign, along with the hashtag #NOTDRESSINGMEN. The campaign was created in order to highlight the fact that the brand “specialise in suits, but we’re not dressing men.”

In order to switch up stereotypes of the menswear garment, and to empower women, they released a series of images, which show strong-looking women ‘power suiting’, whilst posing next to naked men." data-reactid="24" style="margin-bottom: 1em; color: rgb(38, 40, 42); font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">In order to switch up stereotypes of the menswear garment, and to empower women, they released a series of images, which show strong-looking women ‘power suiting’, whilst posing next to naked men.









Roles are completely reversed, as one woman is seen with her hand on a male’s buttocks, while another sits on top of a completely nude and vulnerable-looking man.  " data-reactid="38" style="margin-bottom: 1em; color: rgb(38, 40, 42); font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">The roles are completely reversed, as one woman is seen with her hand on a male’s buttocks, while another sits on top of a completely nude and vulnerable-looking man.

The controversial images have sparked debate, as women respond with divided opinions. “A much needed brand for women”, one Instagram follower comments.

Meanwhile, many think the campaign is simply fuelling the consent of objectification. “If it was the other way around with the woman on the couch and man above her, feminist groups would jump and criticise. This double standard needs to end,” commented one person." data-reactid="40" style="margin-bottom: 1em; color: rgb(38, 40, 42); font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Meanwhile, many think the campaign is simply fuelling the consent of objectification. “If it was the other way around with the woman on the couch and man above her, feminist groups would jump and criticise. This double standard needs to end,” commented one person.

This wouldn’t be the first time the brand have hit major controversy. Last year, the company’s menswear division Suit Supply hit headlines for its ‘Toy Boy’ campaign, which showed deeply sexist images objectifying women. " data-reactid="41" style="margin-bottom: 1em; color: rgb(38, 40, 42); font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">This wouldn’t be the first time the brand have hit major controversy. Last year, the company’s menswear division Suit Supply hit headlines for its ‘Toy Boy’ campaign, which showed deeply sexist images objectifying women.

Ikiré Jones‏@IkireJones
Yo @suitsupply are you selling suits or misogyny this season? Just want to know so I can accessorize accordingly.


 sexism further normalising the notion of objectification that is already so heavily rooted in our society. " data-reactid="44" style="margin-bottom: 1em; color: rgb(38, 40, 42); font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Is it okay for women to objectify men? After all, we’ve been subjected to it for decades. Or is it simply reverse sexism further normalising the notion of objectification that is already so heavily rooted in our society.

If anything, the campaign simply proves we still have a long way to go to figure it out.