A female reader asked me sarcastically why didn't I post yet the scandalous new ad from Tom Ford, if I'm so good at fashion news when they concern female models. Well, here is the proof this humble weblog is not afraid from nudity from both sides. Although the ad will be published only from October 24, this is an advance copy.
You probably read the news reports about it. The ad features a reclining full-frontal nude male model. He's quite hairy, as required by the new shift in male beauty standards. The guy is former martial arts French champion Samuel de Cubber. The ad (right pic, above) will be published from Oct. 24 in a handful of fashion magazines, including the French edition of Vogue and the Italian one.
It is the first time in the history of advertising that a major mainstream company shows a full-frontal nude as a standard ad.
Ford said the M7 campaign was a homage to a now infamous picture of Saint Laurent posing naked -- though with his legs modestly crossed -- for the photographer Jeanloup Sieff in 1971.
US magazines will carry a toned-down version showing de Cubber from the waist up (left pic).
Update: November 2002 - More about de Cubber - here. December 2002 - even more (and bigger scan) - here.