Olivia Rodrigo has sparked debate after performing in a babydoll dress and bloomers at Spotify's Billions Club event in Barcelona. The outfit, designed by Chloé's creative director Chemena Kamali, has drawn criticism online, with some accusing the pop star of promoting an infantilised aesthetic.
Commenters have questioned whether women should be allowed to choose their clothing, but the real issue lies elsewhere. The babydoll dress, originally a 1940s nightie, was repurposed in the 1990s by artists like Courtney Love as a subversive tool to challenge gender expectations. Love paired lace with smeared makeup and heavy boots to disrupt traditional views of femininity.
Today, Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, and Ariana Grande are reviving similar looks, but their motivations may differ. Critics suggest these celebrities are using controversy to generate attention and income, playing into social media algorithms that reward viral moments. As Dr. Aimée Walsh writes, the outfits themselves are not the problem, but the sinister interpretation by some viewers is concerning.
The hyper-sexualisation of Rodrigo's performance, including lifting her hemline, feeds into a sick online culture that consumes such content. While female agency should be respected, the resurgence of this aesthetic raises questions about its purpose in an era of rage-baiting and algorithm-driven fame.
