It is obvious when looking at this Calvin Klein advertising to figure out the sex of both Marky Mark and Kate Moss by their physical characteristics. Kate Moss is a slender woman with breast whereas Marky Mark is muscular and lacks enlarged breasts. Due to gender stereotypes, their sex is unquestionable. Yet, the gender role each models is portraying reflects the gender “label” each sex is supposed to encompass. Marky Mark is showing he is a well-built, strong man. The expression in his face reveals little emotion. He is depicting a tough, stern image. Kate Moss on the other hand is curled up around Marky Mark. She is displaying the submissive and coy stereotype of women. Her facial expression as well as her body posture suggests she is dependent on a man. She seems to be saddened and hurt rather than independent and strong. It is also noteworthy to point out the clothing differences between the two models. Marky Mark is clothed from the waste down and Kate Moss is wearing only underpants. This again shows the submissiveness of the female as well as exploiting her entire body. However, a man “showing off” his strong arms and chest is considered to be manly.

Unfortunately this advertisement uses stereotypical gender roles to sell clothing. Both Marky Mark and Kate Moss suggest to the viewer of the advertisement that men are supposed to be muscular, strong, and domineering and women are expected to be slender, submissive, and dependent. These ideas of gender roles reinforce traditional attitudes of how men and women are presumed to be. This ad is selling to the viewer the attributed gender roles of males and females and is not selling the Calvin Klein clothing (or lack thereof!).