Rosalía's garter belt tattoo is a unique and meaningful symbol of feminism and empowerment. It is a replica of the one that the Austrian feminist performance artist Valie Export gave herself onstage in 1970 as part of her work Genital Panic. Export's tattoo was a radical act at the time, as it challenged the patriarchal taboo on female sexuality and objectification.

Rosalía has spoken about her admiration for Export and her desire to use her own tattoo to continue the fight for female empowerment. In an interview with Spanish TV show El Hormiguero, she said that the tattoo represents "feminine energy and strength." She also explained that it is a way for her to "say something like 'I decide when I sexualize myself and when I don't.'"

Rosalía's tattoo is a powerful statement of her autonomy and her refusal to be objectified by others. It is a reminder that women have the right to control their own bodies and their own narratives.

The History of the Garter Belt

The garter belt is a piece of lingerie that has been worn by women for centuries. It is typically used to hold up stockings or tights, but it can also be worn as a fashion accessory. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the garter belt was associated with burlesque and cabaret performers. However, it gained mainstream popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, when it was seen as a symbol of femininity and sexiness.

The Garter Belt as a Feminist Symbol

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the garter belt began to be reclaimed by feminists as a symbol of female empowerment. This was due in part to the work of Valie Export, whose Genital Panic performance challenged the patriarchal taboo on female sexuality. Export's tattoo of a garter belt was a way for her to claim her own body and assert her right to sexual expression.

Other feminist artists and activists also began to use the garter belt as a symbol of empowerment. For example, the Guerrilla Girls, a group of anonymous female artists, often wore garter belts to their protests and exhibitions. The garter belt became a way for feminists to challenge the male gaze and reclaim their own sexuality.

Rosalía's Tattoo as a Feminist Statement

Rosalía's tattoo of a garter belt is a continuation of the feminist legacy of this symbol. By getting this tattoo, Rosalía is sending a message that she is in control of her own body and her own sexuality. She is also challenging the patriarchal standards of beauty and femininity.

Rosalía's tattoo is also a powerful symbol of her solidarity with other women. In an interview with Teen Vogue, she said that she wanted to get the tattoo to show her support for other women who are fighting for their empowerment. She said, "I wanted to show that I'm here with them, and that I'm going to fight with them."

The Impact of Rosalía's Tattoo

Rosalía's tattoo has had a significant impact on popular culture. It has helped to raise awareness of the feminist movement and to empower other women to embrace their own sexuality. Rosalía's tattoo has also been praised by other celebrities, such as Rihanna and Beyoncé.

In addition to its impact on popular culture, Rosalía's tattoo has also been the subject of academic study. In a 2021 article published in the journal Feminist Media Studies, scholar María José Gámez Fuentes argues that Rosalía's tattoo is a "powerful example of how female artists can use their bodies to challenge the patriarchal gaze." Gámez Fuentes writes that Rosalía's tattoo is "a reclamation of female sexuality and a celebration of the female body."

Rosalía's garter belt tattoo is a unique and meaningful symbol of feminism and empowerment. It is a reminder that women have the right to control their own bodies and their own narratives. Rosalía's tattoo is also a powerful example of how female artists can use their bodies to challenge the patriarchal gaze.