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It is time for critics across the internet who find the female body deeply offensive to accept a simple fashion reality: naked dressing is firmly here to stay, and its momentum shows no signs of slowing down. For anyone tracking the evolution of red carpet fashion, the stance of style commentators on the trend is abundantly clear. Naked dressing is frequently celebrated as the ultimate sartorial power move, a playful and empowering way to showcase the human form, and an unapologetic celebration of bold aesthetic expression. Whether it involves sheer layers, strategic cutouts, or gravity-defying silhouettes, revealing skin on the red carpet remains one of the most dynamic ways to make a permanent impression.
This sentiment was on full display over the weekend at the 2026 LACMA Art + Film Gala. As one of the most anticipated annual events on the cultural calendar, the gala serves as a high-profile fundraiser where the worlds of Hollywood cinema and contemporary art seamlessly collide. Year after year, the star-studded guest list delivers an array of unforgettable fashion moments, and the most recent gathering was no exception. While the evening featured plenty of conservative triumphs, such as the immaculately tailored dresses worn by Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, or the museum-worthy artistic designs sported by Anya Taylor-Joy and Alex Consani, and the elegantly chic statements made by Jessica Williams and Monica Barbaro, the spotlight ultimately gravitated toward the looks that chose to show a significant amount of skin.
As enthusiasts of the naked dress trend have long observed, the aesthetic has evolved far beyond a monolithic look, branching out into a fascinating series of distinct subgenres. At the LACMA gala, this diversity of exposure was championed by some of the fashion industry’s most recognizable models and trendsetters, each interpreting the ethos of transparency and skin-baring design through their own unique stylistic lens.
Among the standout representations of the sheer subgenre were models Iris Law and Stella Maxwell, who approached the concept with contrasting yet equally captivating visions. Law opted for a custom creation by Amaramara, a gown masterfully constructed out of 6,000 individual mother-of-pearl tiles. The intricate assembly created a striking chainmail effect that draped over her figure, catching the light with every movement and merging high-tech craftsmanship with fluid sensuality. Maxwell, on the other hand, leaned into an ethereal, angelic, and heavily lingerie-inspired aesthetic by wearing a white lace dress from Alexander McQueen’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection. The delicate lacework blurred the lines between intimate wear and grand gala attire, offering a softer, more romantic take on transparency.
Meanwhile, another prominent subgenre of the evening leaned heavily into the revival of bold, low-slung silhouettes, channeling bumster-adjacent styling that pushed red carpet boundaries. Rose Huntington-Whiteley and Alix Earle both captured this daring energy, albeit in very different ways. Huntington-Whiteley arrived in a look that fashion insiders might describe as the dress equivalent of a classic mullet haircut: all business in the front and an undeniable party in the back. Her sleek black Gucci dress featured sophisticated long sleeves and a high neck detail at the front, projecting an image of classic elegance, but completely reversed course at the rear. The gown was entirely backless, plunging dramatically low to reveal a striking amount of skin and a clear nod to the revival of low-rise aesthetics. Earle offered a similarly provocative silhouette, wearing a custom silver crystallized fringe dress sourced from Gucci’s Resort 2027 collection. The design featured an open back paired with strategically placed gaps in the heavy fringe, ensuring that movement created flashes of exposure throughout the evening.
The bra-top subgenre also found a powerful expression at the gala, championed by artists and trendsetters like Ningning and Devon Lee Carlson. Ningning embraced a high-contrast ensemble from Gucci, anchoring her look with a sparkling crystal diamante bra paired with sharply tailored black trousers, all brought together by a dramatic, voluminous green feathered coat that added texture and theatrical flair. Carlson chose a completely sheer two-piece set, also by Gucci, consisting of a matching cropped top and skirt crafted entirely out of crystallized black lace. The monochromatic sheer set played with light, texture, and transparency, cementing the two-piece trend as a viable and vibrant red carpet alternative to the traditional gown.
From intricate crystal bras and cascading fringe to backless masterpieces and floor-length mother-of-pearl chainmail, the interpretations of the trend proved that skin-baring fashion continues to drive the conversation in contemporary design. As the stars gathered to celebrate the intersection of film and fine art, the overarching narrative of the evening remained clear. From bras to exposed backs and everything in between, naked dressing once again emerged as the undisputed winner of the gala.
