It ain't always about catching eyes. Sometimes, you just want to look fine as hell, and it's alright to draw such a situation.

The important thing to remember about female empowerment fantasy vs male gaze in terms of media, is that sometimes it can be both.

Can a sexualized female character be both empowering and a good character? Absolutely. Can said character also have had some characteristics put there to appeal to the male gaze? Also yes.

Remember, they aren't mutually exclusive traits.