# Sleazevertising American Apparel Starts 2009 with a Bang By Ayman | Published 2009-01-02 | Naughty Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/american-apparel-controversial-ad-2009 References: [lastnightsparty](http://lastnightsparty.com/) & [debauchette](http://debauchette.com/) American Apparel clearly answers the question we asked in our recent [50 naughty ads that cross the line](http://www.trendhunter.com/slideshow/controversial-ads-top-list-racy-indecent-cluster) cluster. Yes, the excessive use of skin and sex in advertising will go on in 2009. In fact, by the look of things, advertisers might not only push the envelope, they might just tear the whole thing to pieces. Having landed quite a few spots in that cluster, American Apparel tries to stay on the forefront of [sleazy advertising](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/underpaid-women) with two new ads that are being exclusively displayed at *Debauchette* and *Last Night Party*. The ad at Debauchette does not really break any new grounds. It uses [adult film star](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sex-toys-intimacy-shop) Charlotte Stokely as a model, illustrating how much fun it is to play with the zipper in the American Apparel [Zipper-Front Bodysuit](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/velvet-heat). The ad displayed at Last Night Party, however, tries to push things a bit too far by showing a model ‘loving herself’ with the help of a *Hitachi Magic Wand Massager*, which is sold at American Apparel. But before you start your outcries of sexism (I do not think the ads are sexist, they are merely sleazy), you have to know that the creative direction and photography of both ads is by Kyung Chung--a female. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.4/10 - Popularity: 91% | Activity: 93% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Naughty](https://www.trendhunter.com/naughty) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Sexual Advertising:** Opportunities for creating sexually-themed ads that push the envelope even further. - **Controversial Marketing:** Opportunities for marketing campaigns that generate buzz through controversial and provocative ads. - **Gendered Advertising:** Opportunities for gendered ads that challenge traditional expectations and stereotypes. ### Where This Applies - **Fashion:** Opportunities for fashion retailers to use sexually provocative ads to make a statement. - **Media and Entertainment:** Opportunities for media and entertainment companies to use controversial and daring ads to promote their brand. - **Sex Toy Industry:** Opportunities for sex toy companies to partner with fashion and entertainment brands to promote their products. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Creative Ad Responses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kiehls-response.md) - [Unapologetic Lingerie Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mariemurs-judge-me-guilty.md) - [Provocative Guerrilla Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mwcurated.md) - [Sexuality-Exploring Artful Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rude-arts-club.md) - [Unapologetic Women-Centric Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/o-positiv-health.md) - [Mock Social Good Fashion Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/not-models-own.md) - [Influencer-Backed Valentine's Day Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bobbi-althoff.md) - [Humorous Mens Fragrance Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/axe-campaign.md) - [Beauty Corporate Diversity Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/so-many-dicks.md)