Does This Dress Look Like a Vagina?

Australian reporter Edwina Bartholomew and the dress that sent social media into a frenzy. (Photo: Sunrise Facebook)

In 2001, Björk turned up at the Oscars in that infamous swan dress, created by Marjan Pejoski. Sadly, this weekend’s Oscars failed to give us an iconic fashion moment on that level, but Australian reporter Edwina Bartholomew was happy to provide us with a gown interesting enough to get tongues wagging.

Bartholomew’s periwinkle Rachel Gilbert gown caused quite a hilarious controversy, thanks to the extra flourish of fabric on its skirt. When Bartholomew shared an image of her look on social media, her followers were quick to point out that the fabric on the piece resembled an intimate part of the female anatomy. “Was waiting for the baby’s head to crown,” one commenter said succinctly.

And now we have the “vagina dress” controversy, which has since gone viral. Bartholomew clearly has a keen sense of humor, because she has taken the jokes in stride, confirming on Twitter that she loved her dress, even making a crack of her own: “Vajayjaygate. Lucky I didn’t put it in the middle.” Indeed!

According to the Twitter account of Aussie morning radio show Kyle and Jackie O, which tweeted a Q&A with Bartholomew, she had an inkling that the look might get the reaction it did. “Hahaha I did know they might call it ‘the vagina dress’ and I still wore it anyway!” said a show tweet. And apparently no one pointed out the resemblance in person. “I went through the WHOLE day without anyone saying ‘you’ve got a vagina on your dress!’” Good thing the Internet took care of that!

But whether the dress looks like lady parts to you or not, somewhere in heaven, Georgia O’Keeffe is smiling down, asking her celestial seamstress to whip up a version of Bartholomew’s controversial frock.

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