Latest news with #ProtecttheDolls
Forbes
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Protect The Dolls: How A $99 T-Shirt Redefined The Power Of Fashion
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Pedro Pascal attends the "Thunderbolts*" UK Special Screening at ... More Cineworld Leicester Square on April 22, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by) On the eve of his London Fashion Week runway show, American fashion designer Conner Ives grabbed a deadstock white T-shirt, stamped the words Protect the Dolls onto it with transfer paper, and pulled it over his head. No brand strategists. No marketing campaign. Just raw instinct — the kind I feel leaders need to adopt more but rarely do. The Dolls? Transgender women — a community facing escalating attacks on their rights, visibility, and safety. In queer communities, 'doll' is a term of affection, pride, and belonging — a coded word that speaks volumes without explanation. The next night, as Ives took his bow at the end of the fashion week catwalk, the Dolls T-Shirt didn't just land — it detonated. It tore through social media, dominated fashion rankings, and hijacked global headlines. Conner Ives hadn't just designed a T-shirt, he had triggered a marketing movement. And within 24 hours, over 2,500 orders flooded in — each one supporting Trans Lifeline, a community-driven organization providing crisis support to trans people in need. If you've read The Kim Kardashian Principle, you already know where I stand: Leaders who win are the ones brave enough to create more of these moments — unvarnished, emotional, and unapologetically true. LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: Designer, Connor Ives walks the runway at the Conner Ives show during ... More London Fashion Week February 2022 on February 18, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/BFC/Getty Images for BFC) For years, slogan tees were dismissed as slactivism — easy gestures without real substance. So how did Protect the Dolls hit differently? It wasn't just a statement, it was a shield. A visible call to arms at a time when trans woman visibility is being ripped apart — in courts, in legislation, and in public discourse. The Dolls T-Shirts weren't selling fashion, they were selling solidarity. When I wore a "Orban Love Wins" message across the back of my Gucci jacket on the red carpet at the MTV EMAs in Budapest, Hungary, in 2021, it didn't just generate support from the local LGBTQI+ community — it made global headlines. At the time, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had recently pushed through legislation in 2021 that banned the depiction of LGBTQI+ content to minors, part of a broader crackdown on LGBTQI+ rights. In a country where state-sponsored discrimination was becoming law, the message wasn't just a fashion choice — it was my act of protest, a show of solidarity, and a public stand against political repression. What I learned then — and still believe now — is that context matters. When the world feels the sharp edge of peril, fashion choices stop being choices and they become cultural flashpoints. Today, amongst our most savvy Gen Z audiences, brands don't get a pass for lazy signaling. As a McKinsey study shows, consumers demand authenticity that cuts deeper than words. They expect brands to put real skin in the game — especially when it comes to defending the rights of transgender women, trans men, and non-binary individuals facing systemic threats. Troye Sivan (left) at Coachella with Lorde, Charli xcx and Billie Eilish. It wasn't just what Conner Ives said. It was how he said it. Protect. The. Dolls. Short. Direct. Familiar, yet radical. In queer communities, "doll" is a term of endearment — a private language of affection and solidarity. But in the wider community, the word can sound flippant or even objectifying. From this standpoint, the slogan is polarizing but Ives didn't care as he chose authenticity over universal approval. As research from the Journal of Business Research shows, linguistic precision in branding isn't decorative; it's transformative. The right words create movements — and sometimes, they divide before they unite. When Ives chose "Protect the Dolls" over safer slogans like "Support Trans Rights" or "Love the Dolls," he made a statement of solidarity as he didn't aim for consensus or the safer more palatable version. He made a statement that was emotional, not clinical. Protective, not patronizing. I've said it before and I'll say it again: some of the most powerful brand ideas are no longer afraid of hate. In fact, hate is a status symbol — proof that you've struck a nerve deep enough to matter. And in my experience, brands that understand the emotional weight of language always win bigger than brands that chase clarity at the expense of feeling. Tilda Swinton wearing the T-shirt. Photograph: Twitter The ripple effect was immediate — and electric. Pedro Pascal, beloved not just for his acting but for his visible support of the LGBTQ+ community (and brother to Lux Pascal, a trans woman herself), wore the Dolls T-Shirt alongside DJ Honey Dijon. Pop stars, Troye Sivan wore it during his Coachella set and Addison Rae wore hers on Instagram. Actor, Tilda Swinton reportedly ordered several for herself and her friends. In fashion, often times this kind of celebrity endorsement feels choreographed, but ut here, it felt urgent — and real. The intersection of celebrity influence and grassroots activism created the perfect storm. Meanwhile, across the pond, the UK Supreme Court handed down a regressive ruling on gender definition, excluding trans women from parts of the Equality Act protections. It felt like a slap to the community of people already fighting for basic dignity. The Dolls T-Shirt wasn't just a fashion choice anymore; it was armor. A recent study in the Journal of Textile Design Research and Practice shows how fashion activism is no longer fringe. It's now a recognized force in building socio-economic resilience, particularly among marginalized groups. The experiences of transgender people — too often erased or politicized — were now stitched into the mainstream conversation. In today's world, the brands — and the leaders — who will shape the future won't be the ones hiding behind aesthetics. They'll be the ones brave enough to take sides, to build brands with purpose, to defend marginalized communities, to fight for transgender women, to challenge regressive gender stereotypes, and to recognize that preferred gender is no longer an opinion — it's a human right. The world has changed. Leadership must catch up. Protect the Dolls reminds us that fashion is always political, whether we're ready for it or not. I have no doubt that American designer Conner Ives will, in part, be remembered for the night he turned a DIY graphic T-shirt into a weapon of beauty, resistance, and solidarity. Protect the Dolls wasn't a whisper. It was a roar. And for leaders who bristle at the Dolls T-Shirts — who roll their eyes at yet another political statement on a fashion week catwalk — maybe it's worth asking a harder question. Is the real discomfort not about the cause itself, but about what leadership demands today? That you must change again. That you must put yourself — your brand, your reputation — on the line. That leadership now means confronting culture, not just selling into it. Because in a culture that still debates the validity of gender recognition certificates, silence isn't neutrality. It's complicity. And if you're not brave enough to wear your beliefs on a deadstock white T-shirt — I have to ask you — are you really brave enough to lead at all? Named Esquire's Influencer of the Year, Jeetendr Sehdev is a media personality and leading voice in fashion, entertainment, and influence, and author of the New York Times bestselling phenomenon The Kim Kardashian Principle: Why Shameless Sells (and How to Do It Right).
Buzz Feed
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Pedro Pascal Called Out J.K. Rowling For "LOSER Behavior" Following Her Celebration Of An Anti-Trans Ruling
Pedro Pascal really is protecting the dolls. The actor has been outspoken on trans rights before, especially given that his sister, Lux, is trans herself. He's previously called out the Trump administration's treatment of trans people, writing earlier this year, "I can't think of anything more vile and small and pathetic than terrorizing the smallest, most vulnerable community of people who want nothing from you, except the right to exist." As you may have read, things recently took a turn for the worse in the UK, where its Supreme Court essentially ruled that trans women aren't legally women (within the context of equality legislation, but organizations like the British Transport Police have already jumped on the ruling and said that male officers will strip-search trans women). Following the decision, even supposedly left-wing Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said that he doesn't think trans women are women. Protests have ensued. One person who was seemingly thrilled about this outcome is J.K. Rowling, who gave a hefty donation to the group that brought the case to the Supreme Court in the first place. She even posted a photo of her drinking and smoking a cigar after the news, captioned, "I love it when a plan comes together." I love it when a plan comes together. #SupremeCourt #WomensRights — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 16, 2025 JK Rowling Some have subsequently called for further boycotts of Harry Potter media. One such person was activist Tariq Ra'ouf, who said in an Instagram video, "It has become our mission as the general public to make sure that every single thing that's Harry Potter related that awful disgusting shit, that has consequences." As well as "liking" the video, Pedro hopped into the comments to write, "Awful disgusting SHIT is exactly right. Heinous LOSER behavior." Pedro then wore a "Protect the Dolls" shirt by Conner Ives to the premiere of Marvel's Thunderbolts in London. All proceeds from the sale of the shirt are set to be donated directly to Trans Lifeline.
News.com.au
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Pedro Pascal champions trans rights with statement T-shirt at Thunderbolts premiere
The Last of Us actor, who has been a longtime advocate of the transgender community, wore a white T-shirt bearing the message "Protect the Dolls" in a black font. American designer Conner Ives debuted the T-shirt during his London Fashion Week show in February to show support for trans women, who are affectionally referred to as "dolls" by the LGBTQ+ community. It has since gone viral and is currently out of stock. All proceeds from the sale of the shirt go to Trans Lifeline, a charity that offers trans people support and resources.
Hindustan Times
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Pedro Pascal shows support for transgender rights at Thunderbolts London premiere days after UK Supreme Court ruling
Actor Pedro Pascal reaffirmed his support for transgender rights at the London premiere of Marvel's 'Thunderbolts', making a powerful statement through fashion. Appearing at Cineworld Leicester Square, the 'Last of Us' and 'Game of Thrones' star donned the now-iconic "Protect the Dolls" t-shirt, as per Deadline. (Also read: The Last of Us kills off major character in 'shocking, devastating' scene; reeling fans say: 'This will haunt forever') Designed by Conner Ives, the shirt first gained widespread attention during Pascal's 50th birthday celebration earlier this month. The phrase "Protect the Dolls" holds deep meaning within the LGBTQIA community, with "Dolls" referring specifically to trans women. The garment was part of Ives' recent London Fashion Week collection, which aimed to highlight ongoing threats to transgender rights worldwide. According to Deadline, in an earlier interview, Ives explained the motivation behind the design and said, "It was very reactive. I knew I wanted to say something, given what we've observed in the last few months with the U.S. government and the current political regime." Pascal's choice to wear the shirt comes shortly after the UK Supreme Court ruled that legal definitions of women must be based on biological sex, effectively excluding transgender women from several legal recognitions. The ruling sparked widespread criticism from human rights groups and advocates for trans inclusivity, as per Deadline. A vocal supporter of trans rights, Pascal has frequently used his platform to advocate for the LGBTQIA community. His advocacy is also personal as his sister, Lux Pascal, publicly came out as a transgender woman in 2021. Since then, Pedro has shown consistent support for her and the broader trans community. Recently, many artists, including Lady Gaga and Madonna have come in support of trans gender rights, particularly during the administration of Donald Trump, who introduced policies limiting transgender military service through an executive order titled "Prioritising Military Excellence and Readiness." (via inputs from ANI)
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Pedro Pascal supports transgender rights at 'Thunderbolts' London premiere
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Actor Pedro Pascal reaffirmed his support for transgender rights at the London premiere of Marvel's 'Thunderbolts', making a powerful statement through fashion. Appearing at Cineworld Leicester Square, the 'Last of Us' and 'Game of Thrones' star donned the now-iconic "Protect the Dolls" t-shirt, as per Deadline. Designed by Conner Ives, the shirt first gained widespread attention during Pascal's 50th birthday celebration earlier this month. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] - 2025 Top Trending Search - Local network access Esseps Learn More The phrase "Protect the Dolls" holds deep meaning within the LGBTQIA+ community, with "Dolls" referring specifically to trans women. The garment was part of Ives' recent London Fashion Week collection, which aimed to highlight ongoing threats to transgender rights worldwide. According to Deadline, in an earlier interview, Ives explained the motivation behind the design and said, "It was very reactive. I knew I wanted to say something, given what we've observed in the last few months with the U.S. government and the current political regime." Pascal's choice to wear the shirt comes shortly after the UK Supreme Court ruled that legal definitions of women must be based on biological sex, effectively excluding transgender women from several legal recognitions. The ruling sparked widespread criticism from human rights groups and advocates for trans inclusivity, as per Deadline. A vocal supporter of trans rights, Pascal has frequently used his platform to advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. His advocacy is also personal as his sister, Lux Pascal, publicly came out as a transgender woman in 2021. Since then, Pedro has shown consistent support for her and the broader trans community. Recently, many artists, including Lady Gaga and Madonna have come in support of trans gender rights, particularly during the administration of Donald Trump, who introduced policies limiting transgender military service through an executive order titled "Prioritising Military Excellence and Readiness."
