The red carpet has never seen anything quite like this. Chappell Roan just took “naked dressing” to a daring new level, appearing in a gown suspended entirely by nipple piercings. From latex body replicas to gravity-defying Mugler designs, the 2026 Grammys have officially shattered the boundaries of style. WATCH the footage of the night’s most provocative looks and see why fans are calling this a historic fashion moment.
The singer’s daring ensemble pushes the limits of “naked fashion” while competitors Heidi Klum and Karol G embrace bold, skin-centric aesthetics.
THE FASHION LEAD
- Chappell Roan wore a custom Mugler gown held in place by nipple piercings.
- Heidi Klum appeared in a structured latex replica of her own naked physique.
- The “naked look” trend follows a long history of provocative red-carpet choices, including Lil’ Kim and Bianca Censori.
The Grammys have elevated the concept of naked dressing to a unprecedented level. Chappell Roan’s attire suspended a barely-there translucent skirt from nipple piercings, marking just one way prominent figures displayed their skin.
Is an outfit still classified as a dress if it is barely resting on the frame?. At the Grammy Awards red carpet on Sunday evening in Los Angeles, the artist Chappell Roan — a contender for record of the year and best pop solo performance — offered a rather minimalist response. Ms. Roan appeared in a burgundy, sheer chiffon cape, a bespoke creation by Mugler, that flawlessly complemented her hair color. Upon entering the red carpet, she removed her cape to unveil a barely-there, solid floor-length skirt that remained in place via nipple piercings.
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Comparing the “Naked” Aesthetic
Skin was prevalent, yet compared to Ms. Roan, other performers who ventured into a naked aesthetic on Sunday evening appeared almost modest. There was Heidi Klum in a contoured, latex strapless ensemble by German designer Marina Hoermanseder, crafted to resemble a naked duplicate of her physique, replete with nipples and glutes. She resorted to small steps to navigate the area and informed People magazine that because she was unable to sit, she would be “giving a standing ovation the entire night”. The Colombian vocalist Karol G arrived in a transparent, lacy, off-the-shoulder garment by Paolo Sebastian, and Kehlani sported a black ornamented Valdrin Sahiti gown.
None approached Ms. Roan’s threshold of exposure. Naked dressing is not a novel concept on a red carpet, specifically for music’s pivotal night, which is viewed as the more relaxed, adventurous relative of other ceremonies. Last year, Bianca Censori, partner of rapper and designer Ye, previously known as Kanye West, arrived in a minidress so revealing that some questioned if it constituted indecent exposure. And in 1999, at the MTV Video Music Awards, Lil’ Kim wore an off-shoulder jumpsuit that transformed nipple exposure.
Reaction and the Second Look
But Ms. Roan’s red-carpet appearance seemed to have advanced the concept a step further. On social platforms, some labeled it “iconic,” while others mused what might occur if someone unintentionally trod on the dress.
They required no concern; when she entered the auditorium, Ms. Roan switched into a floor-length, ivory gown by Rodarte to bestow the award for best new artist to Olivia Dean. There was not a single nipple in evidence.
Alisha Haridasani Gupta is a Times reporter covering women’s health and health inequities.
