Margot Robbie and Dakota Johnson ignite fashion uproar with daring sheer red carpet looks

The red carpet sizzled on both sides of the Atlantic as Margot Robbie and Dakota Johnson pushed naked dressing to bold new heights.

On Thursday night, fashion watchers were left stunned when Robbie turned up at London’s Odeon Luxe Leicester Square for the premiere of her latest film, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey. The 35-year-old Barbie star, who recently became a mother, stepped out in a daring couture gown from Giorgio Armani Privé’s spring 2025 collection. The choice was poignant as well as provocative, coming just days after Armani’s death at the age of 91.

Robbie’s gown was crafted from a sheer fabric base adorned with beadwork in swirling floral and paisley motifs. From the front, the dress shimmered under the lights, but it was the back that stole the show. The delicate spaghetti straps criss-crossed her shoulders, framing a jewel pendant set between her shoulder blades. Below, the dress clung to her hips but left very little to the imagination, exposing her bare backside to the flashbulbs.

Paired with silver Aquazzura heels, the look was simultaneously a heartfelt tribute to Armani’s artistry and one of Robbie’s cheekiest red carpet moments yet.

Across the Atlantic in New York, Dakota Johnson was turning heads with her own interpretation of the naked trend. The 35-year-old actress, fresh from starring in Splitsville and Materialists, arrived at Kering’s Caring for Women gala in a Gucci creation styled by celebrity fashion powerhouse Kate Young.

Her gown featured a black sheer base embroidered with delicate florals, cut with a high neckline and flowing train. Beneath the transparent fabric, Johnson wore a matching bra and panty set, ensuring that the bold design left no doubt about its place in the sheer-dressing hall of fame.

The gala, organised by luxury fashion group Kering, was one of the most star-studded nights of the season. Attendees included Demi Moore, Jessica Chastain, Julianne Moore, Salma Hayek, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, Adrien Brody and Casey Wasserman. Vogue’s Anna Wintour also made a rare appearance, posing alongside her chosen successor Chloe Malle, new Vanity Fair editor-in-chief Mark Guiducci, and long-time friend Baz Luhrmann.

Together, Robbie and Johnson demonstrated how far celebrities are willing to go in embracing the naked trend that has dominated catwalks and carpets alike in recent years. Once confined to occasional “shock factor” moments, sheer gowns have now become a mainstay of high fashion, with A-listers competing to push boundaries further each season.

The timing of Robbie’s outfit gave the look an extra dimension. Armani, revered as one of the greatest designers of his generation, had long been known for his elegance and restraint. By choosing his design at this moment, Robbie balanced reverence with provocation — a fashion statement that honoured his legacy while breaking taboos.

Johnson’s choice, meanwhile, underscored Gucci’s reputation for audacity and sensuality under creative director Sabato De Sarno. Styled with effortless confidence, her gown made the case that naked dressing is no longer fringe but firmly embedded in mainstream luxury fashion.

Critics may debate whether these sheer ensembles are empowering, exploitative or simply overexposed. But one thing is clear: naked dressing has reached a new peak, and Hollywood’s brightest stars are only fanning the flames