Is 'stunt-dressing' by celebs Doja Cat and Kylie Jenner's taking away from the true meaning of fashion?

Doja Cat, Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian are among the celebrities that have all tried ‘stunt Dressing’, but is the need for going viral taking away from the true meaning of fashion? 

Fashion shows and award ceremonies are the best time to watch celebrities dress in the most glamorous and stylish outfits. Hollywood A-Listers have the biggest fashion houses like Prada, Chanel, Dior, Gucci and Versace (to name just a few) at their feet wanting them to showcase their latest designs that us mere mortals can only dream of wearing.

But more often than not celebrities are turning down stunning dresses and instead opting for the ‘stunt dressing’ style. 

This fashion season Doja Cat shocked fans as she attended the Schiaparelli spring 2023 couture show at the Petit Palais in Paris wearing a red strapless dress, red body paint and over 30,000 crimson Swarovski crystals stuck to her skin. Whilst at the same event Kylie Jenner caused outrage by wearing a black with a huge life-like Lion’s head attached to the front.

The pair certainly made headlines for their outfits and when Doja Cat shared the image to her Instagram the post garnered over 3.5 million likes with Kylie receiving over 9.1 million. 

The Guardian described stunt dressing it as: “is a neologism that captures this new mood of performative fashion. It’s the act of getting dressed to gain maximum attention offline and (maybe even more importantly) online.”

However the phenomena of ‘Stunt Dressing’ is nothing new Kim Kardashian raised a few eyebrows when she wore head-to-toe black Balenciaga ensemble that completely covered her face to the 2021 Met Gala. As well as becoming a meme the influencers outfit became a firm favourite for Halloween outfits that year. 

Rapper Kanye West sparked controversy when he had models at his Yeezy Paris fashion show don t-shirts with the slogan ‘White Lives Matter’ written across the back. 

And of course not forgetting Lady Gaga when she wore the ‘meat dress’ that was made from raw beef to the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. Designed by Franc Fernandez the dress was condemned by animal rights activists. 

Celebrities' constant need for making headlines or trying to ‘break the internet’ has turned fashion events and red carpets into a mockery of who can upstage who in the most ridiculous and controversial outfit. Case in point musician Tom Cash wearing a literal duvet and face sheet mask as he sat next to Tyga and Avril Lavigne at the Y-Project show. 

They say fashion is subjective but we just hope that this phenomena will quickly phase out and actual style will make a huge comeback.