Bulgari Ad Banned from Venice

Venice has imposed many rules and regulations over the past few years to preserve its history and heritage. Even food made its way on Venice’s don’t list, as it is banned from certain outdoor spaces (to avoid littering). At the same time, Italy is renowned for its fashion and inappropriately dressed dancers on TV shows. So who would have thought that fashion would be Venice’s next victim? The Bulgari ad featuring Julianne Moore lounging naked covered by a Bulgari handbag and two lion cubs was recently banned from the city’s St. Mark’s Square. Mayor Giorgio Orsoni was outraged that a photo of a naked woman would appear at the square. However, if he is really so conservative, he should be more concerned about the fact that there is a billboard at all, not what is on it. Nevertheless, to appease Mr. Orsoni, Bulgari replaced the ad with a new one featuring a clothed Julianne Moore. It seems as though Bulgari went too overboard too soon in its creative attempt at advertising clothes without clothes.

Photo source: Bulgari.