Dressing the diva
Fashion, ageism and gender in Tintin
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22430843 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Tal Granovsky Amit (0009-0007-6791-8341, Florida Atlantic University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Publication date | 2026-07-08 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Critical Studies in Fashion & Beauty (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2040-4417 • E-ISSN: 2040-4425 |
| Publisher | Intellect (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1386/csfb_00120_1 |
| OpenAlex | W7168125945 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 12 |
This article explores the complex representation of women in the male-dominated universe of the comic book series The Adventures of Tintin , created and illustrated by Hergé, focusing specifically on the opera singer Bianca Castafiore in The Castafiore Emerald (1962–63). In this comic book, Castafiore occupies a role that is neither a straightforward misogynistic caricature nor a feminist hero. Her unusual portrayal positions her as a site of narrative tension between visibility and erasure that reaches its peak when she performs in a red dress. This article examines how this dress becomes a symbol of female power that the patriarchal narrative systematically attempts to silence. Through the lens of fashion theory and visual ageism, this analysis examines how Hergé employs frequent costume changes to construct Castafiore’s identity while simultaneously using technology and plot devices to neutralize her. Ultimately, the article suggests that Castafiore represents the impossibility of fully containing the female voice, even within a world designed to marginalize it.
Adventure · Comics · Impossibility · Narrative · Fashion and Cultural Textiles · Gender, Feminism, and Media · Media, Gender, and Advertising
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Fashion, the media and age
How Does Vogue Negotiate Age
Introduction
Ageing in American Comic Strips
Visual ageism and the subtle sexualisation of older celebrities in L'Oréal's advert campaigns
Identity and geopolitics in Hergé'sAdventures of Tintin
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |