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Lingerie ad in Gilbert called ‘pornography’
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TOO SEXY: A woman escorts a girl across the walkway as she glances up at the large collage of lingerie photos on the storefront of Victoria’s Secret in the new SanTan Village Mall in Gilbert.
Ralph Freso, Tribune
More than a dozen residents have e-mailed Gilbert complaining about a Victoria’s Secret advertisement they call “pornography” and argue is inappropriate for the “family-friendly” town.
The images are part of the company’s national ad campaign and depict two lingerie-clad models on tall windows outside the Victoria’s Secret at SanTan Village, an outdoor mall that opened last week at SanTan Village Parkway and Loop 202’s Santan Freeway.
“The only thing that put a damper on our visit to this wonderful new mall was when we looked up and suddenly, towering over us were bulging breasts!” wrote Rex Parry in an e-mail to the Town Council. “Girls in sexy provocative underwear! We were horrified!”
Thirteen residents had written letters of protest by Tuesday afternoon. Two letter writers said the complaints about the ads, also appearing in magazines and other Victoria’s Secret stores, were “unfounded and irresponsible.”
Others said they themselves didn’t mind the signs but felt visitors were uncomfortable and worried about children viewing the display.
Sheila Hunter, senior property manager at SanTan Village, said there is talk about taking down the sign, but no decision has been made since Westcor, owner of the mall, received its first complaint on Saturday.
“They are the same ads you see in Victoria’s Secrets across the country,” Hunter said. “We are working toward making sure that we provide a family-friendly environment and shopping experience at SanTan. So, if there are some residents in Gilbert that are concerned about that, we need to address them.”
Victoria’s Secret corporate representatives could not be reached for comment.
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