Latest news with #theDolls'
New York Times
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Catherine, Princess of Wales, Steps Back Into the Fashion Spotlight
The fashion crowd in London is generally known for keeping cool. But on Tuesday, the editors and designers at a ceremony for one of the industry's most prestigious local awards became palpably excited when Catherine, Princess of Wales, emerged to present this year's Queen Elizabeth II Award for Design to Patrick McDowell, 29, a Liverpool-born designer. Dressed in an olive Victoria Beckham suit and a white silk pussy-bow blouse, Catherine walked with Mr. McDowell among mannequins and models wearing the designer's looks inside 180 the Strand, the Central London building where the event took place. It was the second time the princess had presented the award, which was created by the British Fashion Council and the British royal family in 2018 to recognize the role London's fashion industry 'plays in society and diplomacy.' The princess did not give public comments at the ceremony, but Mr. McDowell said that their private conversation touched on topics including a shared appreciation for craftsmanship and the designer's efforts to make collections in Britain and offer customers the option to repair or rework old garments. Mr. McDowell added that, as Catherine toured the clothes on display, she took interest in a tailored sleeveless jacket called 'the Wales jacket.' 'She said, 'Why would you call it that?' with a big smile,' Mr. McDowell said. 'What a moment, to be sharing jokes with our future queen.' Catherine's appearance at the event came as she has been stepping up the pace and profile of her public engagements after her cancer diagnosis and treatment last year. In January, she said her cancer was in remission; about a month later, the Sunday Times of London published an article that suggested that Kensington Palace would no longer be disclosing any details of her outfits to the news media. During the awards ceremony, the princess also met with other young designers who were on hand to showcase their wares, including Conner Ives, an American working in London whose 'Protect the Dolls' T-shirt have spread widely on social media in recent weeks. On Tuesday, Mr. Ives was announced as the 2025 winner of the British Fashion Council/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund award, which came with a grant and an industry mentorship. In past years, the Queen Elizabeth II Award for Design went to designers including Richard Quinn, S.S. Daley and Priya Ahluwalia. It has been presented in the past by other senior royals, including Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III and Princess Anne. Mr. McDowell, whose namesake brand was introduced in 2018, is known for offering made-to-order evening and occasion wear designed in London using recycled textiles and new sustainable materials like sequins made of cellulose. Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker and Keira Knightley are among the label's notable fans. Winning the Queen Elizabeth II Award was 'a wonderful pat on the back that provides a game-changing stamp of approval,' Mr. McDowell said, as well as an 'acknowledgment that working in a circular way is a way forward.' 'I'd love to make a piece for her,' Mr. McDowell added, referring to Catherine. 'It would be a dream come true.'
The Guardian
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Pedro Pascal calls JK Rowling a ‘heinous loser' in wake of supreme court gender ruling
The actor Pedro Pascal has attacked author JK Rowling on X, calling her a 'heinous loser'. Pascal responded to a comment reporting the words of activist Tariq Ra'ouf in an Instagram video, in which he urged people to boycott Rowling's work. 'It has become our mission as the general public to make sure that every single thing that's Harry Potter related fails … because that awful disgusting shit, that has consequences.' Activist Tariq Ra'ouf 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 fails... because that awful disgusting shit, that has consequences." Pascal liked the post and wrote: 'Awful disgusting SHIT is exactly right. Heinous LOSER behaviour.' Responding on Instagram to the interaction, Ra'ouf applauded Pascal and said he also felt the 'immense pain' of the silence of other celebrities. Pascal has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and is frequently accompanied on the red carpet by his transgender sister, Lux. Rowling has attracted some backlash to a photograph she posted of herself last week, smoking a cigar on a yacht with the caption: 'I love it when a plan comes together.' This came after judges in Scotland ruled that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act refer to a biological woman and biological sex. The action to determine this had been brought by For Women Scotland, a campaign group which brought a case against the Scottish government in which they argued that sex-based protections should only apply to those born female. Rowling wrote on X: 'It took three extraordinary, tenacious Scottish women with an army behind them to get this case heard by the supreme court and, in winning, they've protected the rights of women and girls across the UK,' adding, 'For Women Scotland, I'm so proud to know you.' In February, Pascal shared the quote: 'A world without trans people has never existed and never will,' on Instagram, dividing his followers. After some threatened to unfollow him, he reiterated his stance, writing: 'I can't think of anything more vile and small and pathetic than terrorising the smallest, most vulnerable community of people who want nothing from you, except the right to exist.' Earlier this week, he wore a T-shirt reading: 'Protect the Dolls' to the London premiere of Marvel's Thunderbolts*, part of a pro-trans campaign by American designer Conner Ives. Some of the cast of the new HBO Harry Potter series have experienced online abuse in response to their involvement. However, all three of the key actors so far revealed have also played landmark LGBTQ+ roles. John Lithgow, who will play Albus Dumbledore, won much acclaim for his performance as a transgender woman in 1982's The World According to Garp. Janet McTeer, who takes over as Professor McGonagall, played a trans man in 2011's Albert Nobbs, while Paapa Essiedu (cast as Prof Snape) has frequently played queer roles, most notably in I May Destroy You and the short film Femme, in which he played a gay drag performer. The series begins filming later this year. Casting of the leading children's roles has yet to be announced.
Euronews
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
‘Protect the dolls': How a t-shirt became a viral symbol for trans rights
ADVERTISEMENT Pedro Pascal caused a sensation on Tuesday when he made a surprise appearance at the London premiere of * the new Marvel film Thunderbolts* . * The actor stood on the red carpet wearing a white t-shirt with the message 'Protect the Dolls' written in black, in support of trans women, just days after the UK Supreme Court ruled that a woman is defined by 'biological sex.' Pascal has been a vocal supporter of trans rights ever since his sister, actress Lux Pascal, came out as trans in 2021. He is the latest celebrity spotted wearing the garment, which became viral in recent weeks as trans rights came under attack in the United States and the United Kingdom. Inspired by 1980s LGBTQ+ ballroom culture The t-shirt was created by American-born, London-based designer Conner Ives. The creative first wore the up-cycled shirt when he closed out his Fall 2025 show at London Fashion Week in February. Conner Hives closing out his Fall 2025 show at London Fashion Week in February 2025 Ik Aldama/Courtesy of Conner Ives The phrase 'Protect the Dolls' specifically refers to trans women. It originated in the 1980s ballroom scene, an underground culture that emerged in the African American and Latino queer communities. 'It was very reactive', Ives told the New York Times of making the t-shirt the night before his show. 'I knew I wanted to say something, given what we've observed in the last few months with the US government and the current political regime.' During his inauguration ceremony in January, US President Donald Trump said the federal government would only recognise two genders, male and female. Trump has since signed several executive orders targeting trans people, including barring trans women from women's prisons and restricting gender-affirming care for people under 19. In this context, the popularity of Ives' t-shirt skyrocketed. Pedro Pascal first sported it at his 50th birthday party in early April, where he was pictured alongside DJ and trans icon Honey Dijon. Elswehere, singer Troye Sivan wore it when he joined Charli XCX on stage at Coachella. Designer Haider Ackermann and popular Gen Z artists Addison Rae and Tate McRae were also spotted wearing the viral shirt. Troye Sivan wearing the 'Protect the Dolls' shirt alongside Lorde, Charli XCX and Billie Eilish Instagram/@troyesivan The trend also reflects the comeback of slogan t-shirts, which became hugely popular in the 2000s and have often been vehicles for political statements. Donald Trump's first presidential victory in 2016 saw a wave of feminist-themed tops hit clothing shop shelves. The most famous one was probably the 'We should all be feminists' t-shirt designed by Dior's Maria Grazia Chiuri in her spring-summer 2017 collection. Although popular with the public, these fashion statements have sometimes been deemed performative and inconsistent with the working conditions and environmental consequences of the fashion industry. Related Fashion and Protest: How Blue and Yellow might become the new black Exploitative fast fashion brands need to ditch the 'feminist' slogans More than £190,235 raised Pedro Pascal's outfit at the London premiere of Thunderbolts* still had a particular resonance in the British context. The UK Supreme Court ruled on 16 April that a woman is someone born biologically female, effectively excluding trans women from the legal definition. ADVERTISEMENT The ruling settled a dispute between the Scottish government and the gender-critical campaign group For Women Scotland, which has received support from J. K. Rowling . 'I love it when a plan comes together', the Harry Potter author celebrated on X following the decision. The Supreme Court's ruling means that trans women can be excluded from single-sex spaces such as changing rooms or homeless shelters. Scotland's Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said the Scottish government would update its guidance on single-sex spaces in accordance with the decision. ADVERTISEMENT 'I want to reassure our trans community that you are valued and the Scottish Government is fully committed to protecting everyone's rights and that includes your community', she said in Parliament on Tuesday. In the meantime, Conner Hives' 'Protect the Dolls' campaign goes on. The £75 (about €88) t-shirt is now sold out but remains available for pre-order. The sales brought in more than £190,235 (about €222,500) as of 18 April, according to Hives. Most of the proceeds are donated to Trans Lifeline, a US-based charity in support of trans people.
