Nudity in Fashion: How far is too far?
From Marilyn to Bianca: Navigating the Fine Line Between Fashion, Feminism, and Nudity on the Red Carpet
Kanye West and Bianca Censori, 2025 Grammy Awards.
The recent 2025 Grammys red carpet showcased some exciting looks, from vintage Jean Paul Gaultier worn by Chappel Roan to Dochii in Tom Brown. However, one look turned heads in an unexpected way. Bianca Censori, Kanye West’s wife, made a daring debut on this year's carpet after removing a black floor-length coat to reveal a completely sheer dress with nothing on underneath. Extensive controversy has arisen debating whether this look has crossed the line regarding fashion and nudity.
Women taking fashion risks goes back to the 1920s with flapper girls dancing in loose-fitting dresses and short skirts. For the time, these were daring strides in fashion that challenged the traditional perception of what women should wear. There was considerable criticism from many considering the style too provocative, even legislative attempts to require lengthier skirts. However, the fashion movement signified something more important to women: sexual liberation, and challenging norms.
The illusion of complete nudity, however, comes into the picture very notably by Marilyn Monroe in 1962 as she steps on stage in a floor-length flesh-coloured chiffon dress embellished with hand-sewn rhinestones to sing ‘Happy Birthday Mr. President’. She reportedly explains, “The body is meant to be seen, not all covered up”. Although receiving backlash for her suggestive style, she is historically a feminist icon who fought for equality while celebrating the de-sexualization of the female body, simply through owning it. This dress and its feminist message resurfaced in 2022 when Kim Kardashian wore the same slim-fitted nude dress to the Met Gala.
Marilyn Monroe, 1962.
Historically, nudity in female fashion has been progressive and provided women an outlet for empowerment and self-expression. It has always been risky or met with some degree of cultural disagreement similar to Bianca’s dress. Does that make her nude dress the next step? Or has the limit been pushed too far?
The previous displays of nudity or silhouettes of nudity in fashion have been endorsed by the women wearing them, framing the fashion decisions as a feminist choice. However, the Bianca Censori dress does not encapsulate the same ideals. In contrast, she looks uncomfortable as she removes her long black coat to reveal the sheer dress. The ordeal comes across as a male-centred depiction of the female body, creating an environment that reads almost pornographic.
Therefore, it can be argued a push and pull is necessary between nudity and fashion so as not to cross the line into pornography. There are ways to utilise fashion to celebrate and empower women's figures by utilising an interplay of the two. For example, Kendall Jenner's 2024 Oscars after-party dress successfully plays with nudity through sheer fabric and a body-hugging silhouette while maintaining stylistic fashion elements.
Kendall Jenner, 2024 Oscars after-party.
By Ava Harvey