Harry Styles has hit back at criticism from Candace Owens over the pop singer’s appearance in a dress on the front cover of Vogue.
Styles made history in November when he appeared on the front of the US fashion bible in a Gucci dress and tuxedo jacket. The front, shot by Tyler Mitchell, was the first time a man had appeared solo on the cover.
The images sparked a debate online around masculinity, gender and dressing.
Owens, a US conservative critic and writer, claimed society could not “survive without strong men” and that the pictures of Styles were an “attack” on Western civilisation.
She said: "In the west, the steady feminization of our men at the same time that Marxism is being taught to our children is not a coincidence. It is an outright attack.”
Styles hit back at her criticism on Wednesday by sharing a striking picture of himself on Instagram.
Styles is pictured wearing a blue corseted suit jacket over a loose blouse as he poses with a banana in his mouth.
“Bring back manly men," the caption reads.
The post quickly went viral, amassing more than three million likes within hours of it being shared.
Style’s picture was taken from a Variety spread in which he defended his choice of clothing in the Vogue shoot.
He said: “To not wear [something] because it’s females’ clothing, you shut out a whole world of great clothes.
“And I think what’s exciting about right now is you can wear what you like. It doesn’t have to be X or Y. Those lines are becoming more and more blurred.”
Actor and director Olivia Wilde, who is currently working on a film in which Styles-stars, replied to Owens’ tweets with: “You’re pathetic.”
The Good Place actress Jamil added: “Manly is whatever you want it to be.”
Owens responded to Styles’ comments on Twitter, writing: “When people try to tell me I don’t have influence, and then @Harry_Styles dedicates an entire post to my tweet. I inspire global conversation. #BringBackManlyMen."
She added: “Shots fired", followed by a series of laughing emojis.
Styles, who found fame in boyband One Direction, has previously appeared on the cover of Guardian Weekend in a dress.
