In a world of naked dresses, did one take it too far?

In a world of naked dresses, did one take it too far?

The naked dress was undeniably the defining red carpet trend of 2024, making waves at the Academy Awards, the Met Gala, and every major event in between. Celebrities like Elle Fanning, Kim Kardashian, Doja Cat, and Charlize Theron embraced the barely-there look, solidifying its place as a bold fixture on the red carpet. At last year’s Vanity Fair Oscars after-party, the trend showcased both ethereal elegance—exemplified by Jennifer Lawrence’s sheer, clover-embroidered Givenchy gown from Fall/Winter 1996—and provocative daring, as seen in Charli XCX’s sheer yellow, nipple-baring Givenchy dress.

But at Sunday’s Grammys, only one naked dress stole the spotlight. While many attendees opted for subdued tones and understated styling in light of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, Bianca Censori took a starkly different approach.

Arriving alongside her husband, Kanye West (now known as Ye), Censori initially appeared in a long feathered coat—a surprisingly modest choice given her usual risqué style. But it wasn’t meant to stay on for long. Within moments of posing for photos, the 30-year-old turned her back to the cameras and let the coat slip, revealing a sheer, sleeveless mini-dress that left nothing to the imagination.

Naked dresses vary widely in design, from subtly suggestive to overtly revealing. The essence of the trend lies in illusion—sometimes, the wearer isn’t exposing anything at all. In the late 1990s, Jean-Paul Gaultier played with this idea through trompe-l’œil prints of the human body, which he emblazoned onto blazers and dresses. More recently, designers like Glenn Martens have reinterpreted this concept with heatmap-inspired prints, seen on stars like Bella Hadid and A$AP Rocky.

Even early iterations of the naked dress relied on clever construction rather than outright exposure. Mae West’s gown in the 1936 film Go West, Young Man and Carroll Baker’s Balmain dress from The Carpetbaggers era (1964) used strategically placed embroidery to create the illusion of nudity while maintaining a level of modesty. Despite the controversy surrounding them, naked dresses often remain surprisingly restrained.

But what happens when a trend rooted in suggestion evolves into outright exhibitionism? For Censori—who has frequently stepped out in barely-there ensembles, from transparent rain jackets to sheer tights worn as pants—the shift from naked dress to outright nudity seems almost inevitable.

On the Grammys red carpet, West stood beside her in a black T-shirt and pants, expressionless behind dark sunglasses. Soon after, rumors circulated that the couple had been escorted out of the event. However, a source familiar with the situation denied this, telling CNN, “He was not escorted out. He’s a nominee. He walked the carpet and got in his car and left.” CNN has reached out to West’s representatives for comment.

Following the event, the couple shared Polaroid-style images of Censori’s look on social media. In a now-deleted Instagram post, West described her outfit as “custom couture,” though the dress lacked the intricate artistry or provocative craftsmanship seen in iconic sheer designs of the past. Unlike the embroidered creations of West and Baker, Censori’s look left little to interpretation—prompting the question: is this fashion, or simply nudity?

West has not confirmed whether he played a role in designing the look, though social media users speculated about his influence over Censori’s wardrobe. Some even questioned whether her attire violated California’s indecent exposure laws, which prohibit public nudity in a way that might offend or annoy others. When asked about potential legal implications, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department told CNN they had “not been made aware of any incident at the Grammys.” Neither the Recording Academy nor CBS responded to requests for comment.

Censori’s appearance undoubtedly marked a moment in the evolution of the naked dress—one that turned a suggestive whisper into an unmistakable, unfiltered statement.