Calvin Klein slaps writ on Firetrap for ‘twat’ ad

Calvin Klein has issued a writ against clothing brand Firetrap over an ad which parodies the campaign for the designer’s fragrance, CK be.

The ad appears in the current issue of Loaded and a number of other monthly titles. It was created by Bean Andrews Norways Cramphorn (BANC) and features black-and-white images of young people. It ends with the tagline: “Be a twat, or wear Firetrap.”

Both companies have passed the matter to their lawyers.

A spokeswoman for Calvin Klein says it is normal for the company to protect its brand in this way. She adds: “The matter will escalate if Firetrap doesn’t stop this.”

Firetrap marketing director Daniel Morris will not comment. However, a source inside the company says: “The matter is with our lawyers.”

The British company is understood to be trying to reach an agreement with Calvin Klein rather than trying to fight the writ.

It is not known how Calvin Klein discovered the existence of the advertisement before it was printed. It sent a letter to Firetrap saying it would begin legal proceedings if the ad went live.

A source close to Firetrap says the company tried to pull the ad but that some magazines had already gone to press.

Firetrap has completed an agency review and has axed BANC, but says the events are not connected.