Eckhardt slams 'prudish' view

In the past she's sizzled in promotional images for Wheels & Dollbaby and Agent Provocateur but *Perth * model *Tiah Eckhardt *'s latest gig has been deemed too hot to handle by the Advertising Standards Board.

Captured by Perth photographer *Penny Lane *, an image from lingerie label Honey Birdette's most recent campaign has been pulled from shop windows around the country after a complaint from a member of the public insisted the picture was too racy for display.

The photograph, which shows the fiery redhead sporting a black bra and briefs with matching handcuffs and a caption that reads "Under lock and key . . . view the short film series at HoneyBirdette.com", was deemed to break the Advertiser Code of Ethics, with the board noting the snap wasn't appropriate for view in shopping centres where children may be present.

Eckhardt, who is an advocate for female empowerment and sexuality as well as being the brains behind lingerie blog The Daily Knicker, took to Instagram to express her outrage at the ruling.

"Uh. Oddly, Australia/my homeland is probably the most prudish, slut-shaming first world country I've found in my travels," she posted.

"Sure, put topless chicks on men's mags in every 7/11 where they are pandering to the typical, male-satisfying ideal of 'sexy', yet take images of a confident woman with attitude, wearing underwear that covers more than 90 per cent of swimsuits on the market, in a store that empowers women by taking sexuality out of the hands of men and into their own and it's somehow lewd?"

In response to the complaint, Honey Birdette commented that it never intended for the images to be offensive.

"We are very sensitive to the views of our customers and greatly appreciate this feedback," they told the Advertising Standards Board. "The style on the poster is our best-selling range and the cuffs are a novelty item that have actually sold out over February due to popular demand. Our stores are all about making women feel safe and sophisticated."

The image has since been removed from Honey Birdette boutiques.

EMMA BERGMEIER-VARIAN

'It's all about women feeling safe, sophistic-

ated."