Why Troye Sivan’s ‘Protect the Dolls’ T-shirt was the style hit of Coachella
Standing out among the supermodels and influencers at the Coachella music festival in the Californian desert usually requires the baggiest skater pants, the tightest of corsets and the most bedazzled cowboy hat.
Against all odds, Melbourne-based singer and beauty entrepreneur Troye Sivan managed to outshine Lady Gaga, Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner by creating a fashion moment last weekend in a simple slogan T-shirt.
Sivan cemented his trend-setting status, honed on the Milan runway where he modelled for Miu Miu in 2023, by wearing a white T-shirt by UK-based American designer Conner Ives with the slogan “Protect The Dolls.”
What does ‘Protect the Dolls’ mean?
“Dolls” is a term for transgender women used in ’80s ballroom culture, depicted in the Ryan Murphy television series Pose, which spawned the vogueing dance craze popularised by Madonna.
Ives consulted transgender members of the fashion community, including model Hunter Pifer, before designing the T-shirt that he wore at the end of his London Fashion Week ready-to-wear show in February.
The T-shirt was a response to US politicians targeting the transgender community. Ives was encouraged to produce a collection to raise funds for the US hotline service Translifeline.
“Resources like this are now more important than ever, given the hostility and oppression the federal government has adapted [sic] towards trans people in America,” Ives posted to his Instagram account.
“I would not be where I am without the support I have been given by the dolls, so this is the least I could ever do to say thanks.”
Who else has worn it?
Sivan was given the T-shirt to wear on stage at Coachella with Charli XCX by his stylist Marc Forné, but other celebrities have already championed the slogan.
Pedro Pascal wearing Conner Ives slogan T-shirt at his 50th birthday celebrations with DJ Honey Dijon. Credit: Instagram/@honeydijon
Last week, The Last of Us actor Pedro Pascal wore the T-shirt at his 50th birthday celebrations alongside transgender DJ Honey Dijon. Pascal has been vocal in his support for the transgender community, including his sister, Lux Pascal, who came out as transgender in 2021.
“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,” Pedro Pascal posted to Instagram on February 21.
Tom Ford’s creative director, Haider Ackermann, has also been photographed wearing the T-shirt alongside actress Tilda Swinton.
How do I get one?
After Sivan wore the T-shirt, sales skyrocketed, with Ives taking to social media to explain potential delays on orders shipped from his London studio.
Before Sivan took to the Coachella stage, Ives had already donated $US70,000 ($110,714) to Translifeline. Today, sales of the T-shirt have reached $195,981.
The T-shirt is currently available for pre-order through Ives’ website for $160 with a $54 shipping fee to Australia.
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