Why Kylie Jenner is being compared to Madonna

Kylie Jenner is being equated to Madonna but not without a reason. Having become iconic of bold fashion and unabashed reinvention, Kylie is subverting a lengthy history in pop culture that can be instantly traced to the origins of The Queen of Pop. This is why the similarities are so viral-like- and why they make the evolution of Kylie such a strong one.

Fashion as statement

In the recent past Kylie has worn a Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra, that Madonna notoriously wore on her Blonde Ambition world tour in 1990, in combination with a slim pencil skirt and courted heels.

It is not only retro, but it is a female strength, re-taking on bold forms and provocation just as Madonna did. In 2019, Kylie caused a heated story when she recreated the notorious 2003 VMA performance of Madonna (including the kiss with Britney Spears), complete with her dressing up as Madonna, her friend as Spears. It was fun, teasing, - and definitely not without meaning.

These scenes demonstrate that Kylie is not only putting on the past, but bending into its mythology. 

Empowerment, eroticism and visibility

Similar to Madonna, Kylie findsfashion, media, persona to investigate and claim independence as regards image, sexuality, and glamour. The cone bra itself is not merely eye candy, it is now iconic of empowerment, to make visible what has previously been hidden, to be in control of the gaze, instead of being controlled by it.

Why it resonates

Madonna has long been pop culture benchmarked in terms of being bold and innovative, provocative, and rule-breaker. Kylie belongs to another family of origins (reality TV, social media, fashion empire) but is tapping into many of the same sources of energy: pushing boundaries, taking risks aesthetically, and owning her story. She is not only referring to Madonna but in her own way, she is entering into the same legacy.

To put it briefly, it is not only the appearance or the reference, but a similarity in boldness, a knack to show-biz, and an inclination to define what fame and femininity should look like in her age.