Naked Dresses in Fashion: Did One Go Too Far?

The naked dress has really taken the fashion world by storm lately, showing up on red carpets at big events like the Academy Awards and the Met Gala. Stars like Elle Fanning, Kim Kardashian, Doja Cat, and Charlize Theron have totally owned this bold look, challenging norms and getting people talking about fashion, modesty, and how we express ourselves. However, at the 2025 Grammy Awards, one particular outfit pushed the envelope even further, turning heads and sparking fresh debates about what’s acceptable in fashion.

What Is the Naked Dress Trend?

The naked dress is all about creating the illusion of nudity while leaving just enough to the imagination—or sometimes not. These outfits often feature sheer fabrics, clever draping, or strategically placed embellishments that mimic bare skin. Some designs rely on trompe-l’oeil techniques, like Jean-Paul Gaultier’s iconic prints of the human form from the late 1990s, which have since been revived by designers like Glenn Martens .

Even early examples of the trend were surprisingly modest. In the 1936 film Go West, Young Man , Mae West wore a gown that hinted at bare skin through intricate embroidery. Similarly, Carroll Baker stunned audiences in 1964 with a Balmain dress promoting The Carpetbaggers , which used delicate embroidery to create the illusion of nudity without revealing anything explicit.

For decades, the naked dress has walked the fine line between artistry and boldness, but it always maintained an element of suggestion. Until now.

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Bianca Censori’s Controversial Grammy Look

At this year’s Grammys, Bianca Censori , wife of rapper Kanye West (Ye) , made headlines with her jaw-dropping take on the naked dress trend. While most attendees opted for muted tones and understated styles out of respect for victims of Los Angeles’ devastating wildfires, Censori chose a completely different approach.

Arriving alongside her husband, the Australian model initially appeared demure in a long feather coat. But within seconds of posing for photos, she turned her back to the cameras and dropped the coat, revealing a barely-there sleeveless mini-dress made of transparent mesh. The outfit left little to the imagination, transforming what is typically a suggestive whisper into a deafening shout.

Unlike past iterations of the naked dress, there was no clever embroidery, artistic draping, or playful illusion here. Instead, Censori’s look stripped away any pretense, leaving many to wonder: Is this fashion—or just a body?

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Kanye West’s Role in the Outfit

Standing beside Censori on the red carpet, Kanye West wore a simple black T-shirt and pants, his expression hidden behind sunglasses. Social media users quickly speculated about his involvement in designing his wife’s controversial ensemble.

West later shared Polaroid photos of Censori modeling the look on his social media accounts, describing the outfit as “custom couture.” However, critics questioned whether the design qualified as high fashion or if it crossed into something else entirely.

CNN reached out to representatives for West for comment but had not received a response at the time of writing. Meanwhile, reports swirled that the couple was escorted out of the event due to the provocative nature of Censori’s outfit. However, a source close to the situation confirmed to CNN that these claims were false, stating:

“He was not escorted out. He’s a nominee. He walked the carpet and got in his car and left.”

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Legal Implications and Public Reaction

Censori’s bold move also raised questions about potential legal consequences. California’s indecent exposure laws prohibit individuals from exposing their “naked body or genitals in front of anyone who could be annoyed or offended by it.” While some social media users speculated that Censori might have violated these laws, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department told CNN via email that they had “not been made aware of any incident at the Grammys.”

The Recording Academy and CBS have yet to issue statements regarding Censori’s appearance.

Public reactions ranged from shock and awe to outright criticism. Some praised her fearless approach to self-expression, while others argued that the look lacked the artistry traditionally associated with the naked dress trend.

Pushing Boundaries or Crossing the Line?

While Censori’s outfit certainly contributed a memorable moment to the history of the naked dress, it also pushed the trend to its logical extreme. By stripping away the subtlety and suggestion that define most naked dresses, she challenged viewers to reconsider what qualifies as fashion—and whether there’s a point where boldness becomes excessive.

Fashion has always been a platform for experimentation and self-expression, but it also invites dialogue about cultural norms and societal expectations. As the conversation around Censori’s Grammy look continues, one thing is clear: the naked dress trend shows no signs of fading anytime soon.

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