The naked dress trend took centre stage at the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday night, as Stella Maxwell, Mary Beth Barone, Madisin Rian and Francesca Busi embraced sheer fabrics and revealing silhouettes on the red carpet.
The 83rd festival opened on September 2 with the premiere of Danny Boyle’s Ink, while the same evening saw the cast of Netflix’s The Gentlemen gather at Guildhall in London for the launch of its second series. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/327fcc123d1f4c19833edeff4a74a6fc))
How the stars styled the naked dress trend
Supermodel Stella Maxwell gave the look a theatrical edge in a dramatic black lace gown, with a matching bustier and underwear visible beneath the sheer fabric. A sweeping train added movement and softened the otherwise provocative styling.
Stylist Lalla Bronshtein said the lace overlay helped make the outfit feel more polished than overtly sexual, despite the bra and knickers being on display.
Mary Beth Barone opted for a more direct interpretation, wearing an embellished sheer slip dress over black underwear for the Venice premiere. The American comedian, known for her role in Prime Video’s Overcompensating, attended the world premiere of Ink in the revealing ensemble.
Lisa Talbot, another stylist, said sheer dressing worked best when it reflected the wearer’s personality rather than being chosen purely to provoke a reaction.
Madisin Rian brought a more traditional red-carpet finish to the trend in a sequinned Giorgio Armani Privé halterneck gown. The backless design followed the lines of her figure while retaining the glamour associated with a couture evening dress.
Italian influencer Francesca Busi also chose a floor-length style, wearing a brown gown with floral detailing and panels of sheer lace. She completed the look with diamond jewellery, a bold lip and long black hair arranged in old-Hollywood waves.
Talbot said that careful attention to proportion and styling could make even a highly revealing dress appear sophisticated, provided the person wearing it remained in control of the overall look.
At the London premiere of The Gentlemen, Maya Jama channelled her character in a plunging custom-made leather gown by R&M Leathers, styled with fishnet stockings and open-toe heels. Jama plays Aisha in the second series, which became available to stream on Netflix on September 3. ([netflix.com](https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/the-gentlemen-season-2-cast-guide))
Kaya Scodelario, who returns as Susie Glass, chose a custom Paolo Sebastian corset gown with a flowing black skirt and a sheer panel revealing her legs. She added diamond jewellery to the look, giving the daring detail a more formal finish.
Yasmina Jones took the most transparent approach at the Guildhall event, pairing a strapless red corset with an embroidered see-through skirt and black knee-high boots.
For Talbot, the success of a naked dress ultimately depends on the wearer, the occasion and the styling — and on whether the outfit is being worn with confidence, rather than dominating the person inside it.
