Elle Fanning's transparent Balmain dress at the Met Gala

 

Elle Fanning's transparent Balmain dress at the Met Gala has sparked a conversation about the history of the "naked dress." The actor's gown, made with organza and layers of resin, was a showstopper on the red carpet, and she was not the only celebrity to wear a sheer outfit that night. Emily Ratajkowski, Kim Kardashian, Doja Cat, and others also wore naked dresses, some with strategically placed embroidery or crystal embellishments to protect their modesty.

But the naked dress is not a new phenomenon. In 1962, Hollywood actor Carroll Baker wore a custom Balmain design to a film premiere in London, which generated headlines for its sheer and daring design. Baker's dress was one of the first high-fashion naked dresses to gain widespread attention, and it marked a turning point in women's fashion.

In the 1960s, women's fashion was changing rapidly, thanks in part to the sexual liberation movement and the introduction of the contraceptive pill. Designers like Mary Quant and Edie Sedgwick were pushing boundaries with their designs, and the naked dress became a symbol of this new era of fashion.

Balmain, the French luxury fashion house, has been making naked dresses for 60 years, and their designs have been worn by celebrities and fashion icons alike. The house's founder, Pierre Balmain, created custom designs for Hollywood stars like Baker, and his transparent dresses were some of the first to gain widespread attention.

Today, the naked dress is still a staple on the red carpet, and it's not just limited to women. Eddie Redmayne wore a sheer suit to the Met Gala, and other celebrities have worn naked dresses to high-profile events.

While some may see the naked dress as a provocative or attention-seeking choice, it's also a symbol of fashion's ability to push boundaries and challenge societal norms. As Carroll Baker said in 1964, "I believe that in the next 10 years nudity will be accepted in movies… I do not think movie nudity will injure the national character." Her words were prophetic, and today, the naked dress is a fashion staple that continues to evolve and inspire.