World over, the Italian fashion brand Benetton has been known for its controversial advertising.

Almost as famous as the Benetton name was that of the photographer Oliviero Toscani who conceived most of the campaigns. Search the Internet for some Benetton campaigns (black horse mating a white mare, three hearts labelled ‘black’, ‘white’, and ‘yellow’, HIV positive stamped on a pair of bare bums, etc.) and argue whether you find the ads offensive or not. What are they communicating and how relevant are they for promoting t-shirts and sweaters?