Opium controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2000
Sophie Dahl advertisement ruled offensive in the United Kingdom
The British Advertising Standards Authority received more than 700 complaints about the campaign's nudity and sexualized pose. It ordered the posters withdrawn on grounds including sexual suggestiveness, degradation of women, and the likelihood of serious or widespread offense.
1977
Criticism of the Opium name
Chinese American activists argued that using Opium as a luxury fragrance name trivialized the history of the Opium Wars, addiction, and suffering in China. A campaign group called for a name change and an apology from Yves Saint Laurent.