United Colours of Benetton do it with a kiss

In what is possibly the most controversial campaign of the year but de rigeur for the United Colours of Benetton is the latest campaign by Italian Fabrica with MDC Partners' 72andSunny for the Italian fashion company's new Unhate campaign.

Featuring unlikely (photoshopped) images of warring world leaders and opposing religious leaders Unhate was designed to break down barriers of race, creed and status in the fashion label's typically shocking style.

The official film of the worldwide campaign was launched in Paris on 16 November by Alessandro Benetton.

The official website said that the aim was to contrast the culture of hatred and promote closeness between peoples, faiths, cultures, and the peaceful understanding of each other's motivations.

"The central theme is the kiss, the most universal symbol of love, between world political and religious leaders," it said.

The film and associated images have caused a stir in the Christian and Muslim worlds particularly with The White House not overly happy with the image of Barack Obama and Hugo Chavez with lips locked.

Debate is raging around the world interpreting, analysing and condemning the campaign – all of which serves Benneton's purposes invaluably.

You can see the official campaign film here and the uncensored one below.