Madonna outfit has been slammed as tacky and non-age-appropriate. Photo / AP
Madonna outfit has been slammed as tacky and non-age-appropriate. Photo / AP
True to form, Madonna provided one of the more controversial outfits of this week's Met Gala, rocking the red carpet in a daring ensemble that exposed both her breasts and butt.
The 57-year-old Queen of Pop's bold choice was met with a mixed reaction, with some commentators commending her for providing one of the most memorable looks of the night - and others slamming the outfit as tacky and non-age-appropriate (the horror).
Now, in a statement on social media, Madonna has stated what many fans expected: that 'put it away, love'-style comments were exactly the reaction she was looking for. The legendary singer, who recently completed her first tour of Australia in more than two decades, said her flesh-flashing outfit was a "political statement":
Madonna's outfit exposes both her breasts and butt.
"We have fought and continue to fight for civil rights and gay rights around the world. When it comes to women's rights we are still in the dark ages. My dress at the Met Ball was a political statement as well as a fashion statement," she wrote in a post on all her official social channels.
"The fact that people actually believe a woman is not allowed to express her sexuality and be adventurous past a certain age is proof that we still live in an ageist and sexist society. I have never thought in a limited way and I'm not going to start.
"We cannot effect change unless we are willing to take risks By being fearless and by taking the road less traveled. That's how we change history. If you have a problem with the way I dress it is simply a reflection of your prejudice.
"I'm not afraid to pave the way for all the girls behind me? As Nina Simone once said, the definition of freedom is being fearless. I remain unapologetic and a rebel in this life and all the others. Join my fight for gender equality!"
However, Dame Joan Collins has warned that Madonna's bold outfit choice might have one unintended side-effect - embarrassment for her kids.
Dame Joan Collins says Madonna's choice of outfit could lead to problems for her kids. Photo / Getty Images
The actress, 82, recalled how embarrassed her son was after she appeared in lingerie in her film The Stud, and said Madonna's children might feel the same way after pictures of her Met Gala Givenchy ensemble were circulated worldwide.
Asked what she thought of the photographs of the 57-year-old pop star on ITV's Good Morning Britain, Dame Joan said: "I thought it was a costume party or a Halloween look, but it's the Met Ball, which is supposed to be one of the most glamorous and fashionable events, and I thought the bottom coming out was a bit over the top."
She added: "It reminded me of the time when I was in a movie called The Stud and pictures of me came out, and I was wearing a basque and stockings, and when I went to my son Sacha's school to meet the headmaster when he was 16, he was very embarrassed.
"All the boys were peeping around the corner, they had seen The Stud even though they weren't supposed to, and he told me later it was very embarrassing for him to see me in the basque.
"I said, 'But I covered up, it's not like I was naked', but his friends at school teased him unrelentingly. So Madonna's son also might get teased," she said.
"I am the least ageist person, you do what you want to do. But if you want to do that, be prepared to be made a figure of fun, because I don't know anybody who hasn't been laughing about it."
Madonna has four children - daughter Lourdes with Carlos Leon and son Rocco with Guy Ritchie, as well as adopted daughter Mercy James and son David Banda.
