Censori’s Bold Naked Dress at the Grammys

Bianca Censori Makes a Statement in a Sheer, Revealing Look on the Red Carpet

The naked dress trend arguably reached its pinnacle in 2024, firmly establishing itself as the biggest red carpet sensation of the year. From the glitz of the Academy Awards to the extravagance of the Met Gala and every high-profile event in between, the barely-there dress has become a show-stopping fixture, captivating audiences and fashion enthusiasts alike. A-list celebrities ranging from Elle Fanning to Kim Kardashian, Doja Cat to Charlize Theron, all embraced the trend, pushing the boundaries of conventional red carpet fashion. It was a trend that allowed for vulnerability and allure, with the garments serving as a delicate play of coverage and exposure.

Last year’s Vanity Fair Oscars after-party was a testament to the versatility of the naked dress. Jennifer Lawrence wore a sheer, empire-waist Givenchy dress from the Fall-Winter 1996 collection that was hand-embroidered with clovers — an example of how nudity could be angelic and ethereal. On the other hand, Charli XCX’s daring yellow gown from Givenchy, which boldly displayed her nipples, exemplified how the naked dress could embrace a more provocative and risqué vibe. These contrasting interpretations showed the fine line between tasteful exposure and boundary-pushing sensuality on the red carpet.

However, at the 2024 Grammy Awards, one particular naked dress left everyone talking. Amidst a sea of muted tones and understated elegance, many attendees used their attire to honor the victims of California’s devastating wildfires. But Bianca Censori, wife of rapper and fashion mogul Kanye West (who now goes by Ye), decided to make an entirely different statement. Arriving at the ceremony, Censori donned a feathered coat that seemed relatively modest compared to some of her past public appearances. However, true to her bold fashion choices, she wasted no time in shedding the coat. In a dramatic reveal, she turned her back to the cameras, dropped her coat, and stood in front of the flashing lights wearing a barely-there, sleeveless mini-dress made entirely of transparent mesh — a garment that left almost nothing to the imagination.

Naked dresses, as a fashion category, come in a variety of forms. Some feature subtle sheerness, others cleverly utilize pattern and embroidery to create the illusion of nudity without actual exposure. Jean-Paul Gaultier, for example, was known for incorporating trompe-l’oeil designs in his collections, which included images of the human body printed onto dresses and blazers. This innovative technique made waves in the 1990s and continues to influence designers today. Glenn Martens, whose work has been worn by the likes of Bella Hadid and A$AP Rocky, revived this technique, creating pieces with acid-colored, heatmap-style prints. While these garments pushed the envelope, they still maintained an element of artistry and sophistication.

Looking back at earlier examples of the naked dress, we can see how fashion has evolved. Mae West’s iconic look in the 1936 film Go West, Young Man and Carroll Baker’s 1964 Balmain dress worn while promoting The Carpetbaggers are among the earliest examples of how designers employed intricate embroidery to create the illusion of nudity. In these instances, the dresses suggested nudity without actually revealing much of the body, showing how the naked dress genre was originally rooted in subtlety and artistry. In fact, many of the naked dresses worn on red carpets in the past have been surprisingly modest, relying on strategic design choices to imply nudity rather than display it outright.

This brings us to Censori’s Grammy appearance, which stands in stark contrast to the more suggestive, yet still covered, naked dresses of the past. For individuals like Censori, who has frequently made headlines for her provocative and often revealing public outfits, the step from a transparent dress to outright nudity feels like a natural progression. From her near-naked appearance beneath a sheer raincoat to attending dinner in Los Angeles wearing little more than a bra and sheer tights, Censori has become known for her audacious fashion choices that blur the lines between clothing and exposure. At the Grammys, her decision to wear a nearly nude outfit was an extension of this ongoing narrative.

Alongside her at the event was her husband, Kanye West, who stood out in a simple black T-shirt and pants. Despite his understated look, West’s presence was marked by his trademark sunglasses and a stoic expression, adding an air of mystery to the couple’s red carpet moment. Soon after the event, rumors circulated that West and Censori had been escorted out of the venue, but a source familiar with the situation denied these claims, clarifying that West was simply a nominee and left the event at his own discretion. He walked the red carpet, got into his car, and departed the ceremony — no escorting involved.

As the evening unfolded, Censori and West both shared Polaroid photos of her ensemble on their respective social media accounts. West referred to Censori’s outfit as “custom couture” in a now-deleted Instagram post. However, the simplicity of the design, without any embroidery or intricate detailing, raised questions about whether the outfit was truly fashion or just a display of the body itself. There was no artistry to be admired, no clever draping or delicate embellishments — just the rawness of the material and the bare skin it showcased.

Social media users quickly speculated about whether West had been involved in the design of his wife’s outfit. The question arose as to whether the outfit was a product of West’s ongoing fashion experimentation or whether Censori was expressing her own personal aesthetic choices. Regardless of who designed it, Censori’s outfit quickly became a focal point of discussion. Some even wondered whether it might have violated California’s indecent exposure laws, which prohibit the exposure of one’s naked body or genitals in public spaces. According to a spokesperson from the Los Angeles Police Department, there were no reports or incidents brought to their attention regarding Censori’s attire, indicating that no legal action was taken.

While Censori’s appearance at the Grammys might not have followed the traditional sensibilities of red carpet fashion, it was undoubtedly a significant moment in the ongoing narrative of the naked dress. She has taken what was once a subtle, suggestive fashion choice and made it loud and unapologetic. In a culture that often celebrates the art of suggestion, Censori’s outfit turned that suggestion into a bold, attention-grabbing statement. Whether it was fashion, art, or simply a body on display, it undeniably sparked a conversation that will not soon be forgotten.