The red carpet looks have always been one of my favorite parts of any award show, and I’m sure that any other fashion-lover would agree. Watching celebrities pose for the paparazzi in designer outfits and debating  the best and worst looks of the night never gets old. However, sometimes an outfit can be so polarizing that it goes viral for all the wrong reasons. 

This occurred at the 2025 Grammy Awards, when Bianca Censori, model and wife to Kanye West, wore a completely sheer dress, or as some would say, lack of a dress. The couple arrived on the red carpet together, with Censori in a long, black fur coat. West, who is infamous for his controversies, whispered something to Censori, then removed her coat, revealing a minidress dress made out of completely see-through fabric. 

Drama has been sparked online about whether or not Censori actually wanted to wear this dress, and if it was just to get publicity. After all, Kanye West is no stranger to doing things that will get him any kind of attention. From the incident with Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards to antisemitic comments, he is notorious for saying and doing harmful things that attract the spotlight, and his downfall has been rapid. 

So, what is the difference between a fashion choice and a controversy? Sheer dresses and revealing outfits are always going to be seen on the runway. In fact, they were even trending at this year’s Grammy Awards, worn by celebrities including Madison Beer, Troye Sivan and Chrissy Teigen. Many see-through clothing pieces are extremely beautiful, especially when they are styled thoughtfully. However, wearing a sheer dress as a style choice is different from wearing a dress that leaves nothing to the imagination. 

In some cases, wearing a revealing outfit can promote strength and empowerment. In fact, at the 1998 VMA’s, actress and activist Rose McGowan wore a similar barely-there look. This was her first red-carpet appearance after being sexually assaulted in 1997 by Harvey Weinstein, and it was her way of saying that her body was her own. McGowan is an avid member of the #MeToo community, and uses her voice to speak out about the sexual abuse that is so prevalent in Hollywood and the entertainment industry. 

However, Censori has yet to make a statement about her Grammy’s look, even with all the media attention she has received over the past few days. This makes me question her comfort with being a part of this incident. Her lack of a voice says a lot about her relationship with West, and signifies that there are things going on behind closed doors. West even wrote on social media that “Yes I don’t make her do nothing she doesn’t want to but she definitely wouldn’t have been able to do it without my approval you stupid woke ass pawns.” Regardless of what side you take with this situation, it is clear that this points to a larger conversation about power dynamics and the objectification of women.

This is a common theme in Hollywood and the entertainment industry overall. Women are often seen as an accessory to men who carry power, which has been demonstrated by Kayne over his years of fame. Lots of men who hold this type of recognition take advantage of it, and use it to harm the reputation of the women they deem as their accessories. The humiliation of Bianca Censori is just one example of this dynamic, and as a society, we have to make sure to give these women the autonomy they deserve.

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Hi! I’m Kayla Friedman, A Magazine’s editor-in-chief. My staff and I are committed to bringing you the most important and entertaining news from the realms of fashion, beauty and culture. We are full-time students and hard-working journalists. While we get support from the student media fee and earned revenue such as advertising, both of those continue to decline. Your generous gift of any amount will help enhance our student experience as we grow into working professionals. Please go here to donate to A Magazine.