Harry Styles is defended by Olivia Wilde after Candace Owens’ attack on Vogue shoot

Olivia Wilde leapt to the defence of Harry Styles over the weekend, as she hit back at Candace Owens’ criticism of him wearing a dress in his new Vogue shoot.

The 26-year-old pop hunk made history as the first ever solo male over star of US Vogue in its 127-year history, and opted to shake things up with his sartorial choices.

However, conservative commentator Candace, 31, took umbrage to the star’s shoot, writing on Twitter: ‘There is no society that can survive without strong men.

Daring style choices: Singer Harry Styles is seen wearing a distinctive pearl necklace while launching his second album Fine Line in Los Angeles in December 2019

Defence: Olivia Wilde, left, leapt to the defence of Harry Styles, right, over the weekend, as she hit back at Candace Owens’ criticism of him wearing a dress in his new Vogue shoot

‘The East knows this. 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.’

Concluding her fiery tweet, the right wing media personality, a vocal supporter of US President Donald Trump, asserted: ‘It is an outright attack. Bring back manly men.’

Responding to the tweet, 36-year-old Olivia – who recently announced that her romance with Jason Sudeikis had ended – simply wrote: ‘You’re pathetic.’

Slam: Right wing media personality Candace Owens 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'

Slam: Right wing media personality Candace Owens 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’

Recently, actress and filmmaker Olivia spoke about her excitement about landing Harry in her new movie, Don’t Worry Darling.

‘[Costume designer Arianne Phillips] and I did a little victory dance when we heard that we officially had Harry in the film, because we knew that he has a real appreciation for fashion and style,’ she told Vogue. 

In his new groundbreaking shoot for Vogue, fashion-conscious Harry wears a Gucci dress, complete with lace overlay and a low neckline.

The engaging image captures Harry wearing the blue garment beneath an androgynous black blazer as he blows a balloon, a long stretch of open grassland visible to his rear.

Retort: Responding to the tweet, 36-year-old Olivia – who recently announced that her romance with Jason Sudeikis had ended – simply wrote, 'You're pathetic'

Retort: Responding to the tweet, 36-year-old Olivia – who recently announced that her romance with Jason Sudeikis had ended – simply wrote, ‘You’re pathetic’

In an accompanying interview the One Direction star admitted he enjoyed dressing up and was not prohibited by pre-conceived barriers regarding what people of opposing sexes should and should not wear.

He said: ‘Clothes are there to have fun with and experiment with and play with… when you take away “There’s clothes for men and there’s clothes for women,” once you remove any barriers, obviously you open up the arena in which you can play.’

He added: I’ll go in shops sometimes, and I just find myself looking at the women’s clothes thinking they’re amazing.

‘It’s like anything – anytime you’re putting barriers up in your own life, you’re just limiting yourself. There’s so much joy to be had in playing with clothes.’

Another picture in the series finds the singer sporting a white a pink tutu over a generously cut suit as he poses in the countryside, while others find him modelling a series of kilts. 

Breaking barriers: Harry has made history by becoming the first ever male cover star of US Vogue, but he's ensured he did it with a difference by wearing a dress

Breaking barriers: Harry has made history by becoming the first ever male cover star of US Vogue, but he’s ensured he did it with a difference by wearing a dress 

In one the singer’s famous butterfly torso tattoo is clearly visible beneath an open jacket as he bounces on a small trampoline in a high-waisted variation of the traditional Scottish garb. 

Reflecting on his life away fashion and music, Harry told the publication that meditation has helped improve his mental health. 

He said:  ‘It has changed my life, but it’s so subtle. It’s helped me just be more present. I feel like I’m able to enjoy the things that are happening right in front of me, even if it’s food or it’s coffee or it’s being with a friend—or a swim in a really cold pond!

‘Meditation just brings a stillness that has been really beneficial, I think, for my mental health.’ 

The full interview is available in the latest edition of US Vogue.   

Think pink: Harry has never been afraid to experiment with fashion and was previously spotted wearing pink nail polish

Think pink: Harry has never been afraid to experiment with fashion and was previously spotted wearing pink nail polish 

Stylish: Harry also has a penchant for Gucci bags and was seen carrying a smart black variation from the Fall Menswear 2020 Collection in February

Stylish: Harry also has a penchant for Gucci bags and was seen carrying a smart black variation from the Fall Menswear 2020 Collection in February