FHM is one of the most widely read men's lifestyle publications in the world, featuring articles on topics such as fashion, sports, cars, music, and gadgets, but it is perhaps best known for its controversial covers that have ignited debates surrounding sex, censorship, and the portrayal of women in mainstream media. Over the years, several FHM cover designs have raised eyebrows for their graphic nature, with some critics arguing that they promote objectification and dehumanization of women. One of the most notable examples was the September 2015 issue featuring model Kelly Brook in lingerie and posing suggestively on a motorcycle. The cover sparked outrage from feminist groups who argued that it perpetuated harmful stereotypes about women and reinforced traditional gender roles. Another example is the November 2016 issue featuring Kendall Jenner, which depicted her standing behind a car while wearing nothing but a bikini top. This design was criticized for being too revealing and disrespectful to women. However, others argue that FHM's covers are simply meant to be provocative and edgy, aiming to attract attention to the magazine and generate debate among readers. They claim that the magazine does not intend to objectify women or promote unhealthy body images, but rather celebrate female beauty and sensuality in an artistic way. Regardless of the intentions behind them, FHM's controversial covers continue to capture headlines and stir up conversations around issues of taste, sexuality, and representation in media.
Controversial Covers
FHM's Controversial Covers Some FHM covers sparked controversy for their provocative nature, pushing the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in mainstream media. These covers sometimes generated debate about censorship, taste, and the representation of women in magazines.
One such cover was the September 2015 issue featuring model Kelly Brook in lingerie and posing suggestively on a motorcycle. Feminist groups were offended by this cover as they believed it promoted objectification and dehumanization of women. Others argued that it was just a marketing ploy to sell copies of the magazine.
Another example is the November 2016 issue with Kendall Jenner, where she stood behind a car while only wearing a bikini top. People felt this was too revealing and disrespectful to women. Proponents of the cover claimed that it was just part of the magazine's edgy style and did not mean any harm to anyone.
Despite these controversies, FHM continues to publish covers that push the limits of acceptability. However, it has also published covers that are more subtle yet still attract attention from readers. For instance, the December 2018 issue featured model Gigi Hadid without makeup or retouching, which celebrated her natural beauty and broke the norms of airbrushed perfection in modeling. This cover received positive reviews and was praised for its honesty and authenticity.
In conclusion, FHM's covers have stirred up controversies over the years due to their graphic nature, but there is no denying that they capture people's attention and spark conversations around sex, sexuality, eroticism, intimacy, and relationships.