There’s a certain irony, isn’t there, in the resurgence of the choker? This simple band, often velvet, sometimes studded, always clinging close. It speaks of a delicate vulnerability, a certain fragility. And yet, on someone like Olivia Rodrigo, it transforms. It becomes a declaration. A subtle weapon.
Rodrigo, with her confessional lyrics and that wounded-bird voice, has become the poster child for Gen Z angst. Her music? A raw nerve, exposed. And her style? It mirrors that rawness, but with a calculated edge. The ripped tights, the platform boots – they hint at rebellion, at grunge-era defiance. But the choker? That’s different. It elevates the look, adds a touch of regal drama.
I remember a time, not so long ago, when chokers were relegated to the back corners of vintage stores. Musty relics of the 90s, alongside butterfly clips and those plastic tattoo necklaces. Back then, I was covering the collections in Paris, and the runways were all about sleek minimalism. Phoebe Philo was at Chloé, ushering in an era of effortless chic. The idea of a choker, with its inherent theatricality, felt almost unthinkable.
But fashion, like music, is cyclical. Trends ebb and flow, often returning with a vengeance. And so, the choker has returned, embraced by a new generation of pop stars. Billie Eilish, with her signature oversized silhouettes, uses chokers to add a touch of structure, a hint of darkness. Dua Lipa, all sleek athleticism and neon brights, favors chokers that are bold, graphic, almost architectural.
What is it about this generation, these young women, that draws them to the choker? Perhaps it’s a way of reclaiming a symbol often associated with female submission. The choker, after all, has a long and complicated history. In 18th century France, it was worn by women after the revolution, a red ribbon signifying the guillotine’s blade. Later, it became a symbol of Victorian mourning, a somber reminder of loss and grief.
But in the hands of someone like Rodrigo, the choker sheds its historical baggage. It becomes a tool of self-expression, a way of projecting strength and confidence. It’s no longer about fragility, but about taking control. It’s about owning your vulnerability, your anger, your heartbreak, and turning it into something powerful.
And isn’t that what pop music, at its best, has always been about? Giving voice to the voiceless, empowering the marginalized? Rodrigo, with her raw lyrics and her carefully curated style, is simply carrying on that tradition. She’s a pop princess, yes, but one who understands the power of a well-placed accessory. One who knows that sometimes, the smallest details speak the loudest.
So, watch out world. These pop princesses are here to stay, and they’re not afraid to make a statement. And if that statement happens to involve a velvet ribbon wrapped tightly around their throats? Well, then, let them choke.
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