Hollywood Red Carpets Shift Toward Architectural Skin Exposure
Celebrities embrace strategic cutouts and daring silhouettes at the 2026 LACMA Gala.
1Strategic Exposure Trends
The 2026 LACMA Art+Film Gala showcased a distinct shift in red carpet fashion. Moving away from purely diaphanous or sheer fabrics, celebrities are now favoring architectural cutouts. This new approach emphasizes precision, using dramatic slashes and vertiginous slits to reveal skin in unexpected, highly calculated areas of the body.
2Kim Kardashian's Signature Style
Kim Kardashian remains a central figure in this trend, consistently pushing boundaries with her fashion choices. At the gala, she wore a burgundy sequined Gucci gown designed by Demna. The dress featured a high neck and long sleeves from the front, while a dramatic waist slash revealed significant skin exposure.
3Gucci's Provocative Glamour
Demna’s recent work for Gucci has defined this high-octane, provocative aesthetic. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley exemplified this with a monastic front gown that featured a completely exposed back and butt. The design utilized a daring hip-level slit fastened with jeweled details, creating a sharp contrast between restrained coverage and extreme, risqué exposure.
4Variations in Cutout Design
Amber Valletta and Emily Ratajkowski also showcased custom Gucci designs that utilized plunging backs and thigh-baring slits. Ratajkowski’s white draped gown featured dramatically open sides, while Valletta’s column dress included an ornamental silver detail. These designs highlight how modern tailoring uses structural elements to draw the eye to specific body zones.
5Maximalist and Sparkling Elements
The trend extended to maximalist, shimmering designs worn by Alix Earle and Candice Swanepoel. Earle opted for a silver halter gown with thigh-high slits, while Swanepoel wore a crystal-strewn piece with two daringly high openings. These looks combined the season's focus on skin exposure with heavy, disco-ready metallic embellishments and fringe.
6Diverse Designer Approaches
While Gucci dominated the event, other designers contributed to the trend. Madelaine Petsch wore a Georges Hobeika gown from the spring 2027 collection. Her look featured a black halter-neck bodice with side-boob exposure and a deep plunge, paired with a cream floral-embroidered pencil skirt, offering a different take on modern sensuality.
7Evolution of Naked Dresses
The naked dress has long been a staple of Hollywood, favored by stars like the Kardashian-Jenner family. However, the current iteration differs from the romantic, ghostly styles championed by figures like Anya Taylor-Joy. Today’s focus is on precision cuts and dramatic contrasts, marking a transition into an unabashedly bold era.
8Future of Red Carpet
This shift toward architectural exposure suggests a new phase for high-fashion glamour. By balancing what is concealed with what is revealed, designers are creating more complex silhouettes. As the red carpet continues to evolve, the emphasis remains on using technical tailoring to create provocative, eye-catching moments for the public.
Original article: Vogue — Hollywood Red Carpets Shift Toward Architectural Skin Exposure