Julia Fox sparked controversy after attending a Halloween party on October 30 in New York City dressed as former First Lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis, wearing a replica of the iconic pink suit stained with fake blood to mark the anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Fox described her look on Instagram the next day as not merely a costume but a “statement,” igniting debate over the sensitivity of the portrayal.
The Historical Significance of Jackie Kennedy’s Pink Suit
Jackie Kennedy wore the striking pink outfit on November 22, 1963, when President Kennedy was fatally shot while riding beside her in a Dallas motorcade. The haunting image of her stained dress as she crawled onto the car after the shooting remains a powerful symbol of tragedy. Notoriously, Kennedy refused to change out of the bloodied attire during Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson’s swearing-in ceremony aboard Air Force One, reportedly saying,
No, let them see what they’ve done to Jack.
This moment has been remembered as a poignant act of silent protest and mourning.
Julia Fox’s Interpretation and Explanation of Her Costume
Fox emphasized the duality of beauty and horror in the pink suit’s imagery. She asserted that the blood-splattered garment represents
“one of the most haunting juxtapositions in modern history,”
blending grace with devastation. Praising Jackie Kennedy’s choice to remain in the outfit, Fox described it as “an act of extraordinary bravery,” serving as
“performance, protest, and mourning all at once.”
She added that it was a powerful example of
“a woman weaponizing image and grace to expose brutality”
and highlighted the costume’s deeper themes of trauma, power, and femininity as forms of resistance.
Public Backlash and Family Criticism
The costume provoked strong reactions online, with many condemning Fox’s choice. Critics argued the outfit was distasteful, accusing her of glorifying a traumatic moment in American history. Among the dissenters was Jack Schlossberg, grandson of Jackie Kennedy Onassis and John F. Kennedy, who stated on Twitter,
Julia Fox glorifying political violence is disgusting, desperate and dangerous. I’m sure her late grandmother would agree.
This response underscored the sensitivity surrounding the use of historical tragedy for shock or artistic expression.
The Legacy and Preservation of the Original Pink Suit
The authentic pink suit worn by Jackie Kennedy is preserved in the National Archives near Washington, D.C., where it remains out of public view until 2103, exactly 100 years after the assassination. The suit, along with other personal effects from that day, was donated to the Archives to serve as a solemn reminder of the events surrounding President Kennedy’s death. Jackie Kennedy’s death in 1994 closed a chapter on a life marked by both elegance and resilience during one of America’s darkest hours.
Significance of the Costume Debate
Julia Fox’s decision to wear the Jackie Kennedy costume has amplified discussion about the boundaries between honoring history and exploiting tragedy. The controversy highlights the tension between remembrance and art, especially when dealing with painful episodes in public memory. As reactions continue to circulate, the debate raises questions about respect for legacy and the impact of political symbolism in contemporary culture.
Julia Fox glorifying political violence is disgusting, desperate and dangerous. I’m sure her late grandmother would agree.
— Jack Schlossberg (@JBKSchlossberg) October 31, 2025
