You’ve seen the photos. Honestly, if you’ve spent more than five minutes on social media in the last decade, you’ve probably seen a lot of them. Whether it’s a high-fashion runway in Paris or a blurry paparazzi shot outside a restaurant in Aspen, Bella Hadid nipples have become a recurring flashpoint in the cultural conversation.
But here’s the thing: it isn’t just about "showing skin." Not really.
When Bella walks out in a sheer Saint Laurent lace dress or a Schiaparelli masterpiece, she isn’t just getting dressed; she’s engaging in a very specific, very intentional kind of fashion rebellion. It’s a mix of professional high-art modeling and a personal "free the nipple" philosophy that has helped redefine what "sexy" looks like in the 2020s.
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The Schiaparelli Lungs and the "Art" of Coverage
Perhaps the most famous instance of Bella pushing the boundaries of traditional modesty happened at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival. She stepped onto the red carpet in a black Schiaparelli Haute Couture gown with a neckline so low it basically didn't exist. In place of fabric, her chest was covered by a massive, gold-dipped brass necklace shaped like human lungs.
It was breathtaking. It was weird. It was polarizing.
Most people focused on the sheer audacity of the piece. But if you look closer, the "lung" necklace—designed by Daniel Roseberry—was actually a trompe l’oeil piece of art. It used rhinestones and filigree to mimic the bronchial tree. While many headlines at the time screamed about "Bella Hadid nipples" being on display, the reality was a bit more technical. The jewelry was strategically placed, often using flesh-toned tape or precise anatomical alignment to balance on the edge of "covered" and "exposed."
This moment wasn't a wardrobe malfunction. It was a calculated statement about the body as a canvas for jewelry.
When Malfunctions Become "Vogue"
Of course, not every moment is planned. In the high-stakes world of runway modeling, things slip.
During the Alexandre Vauthier show at Paris Fashion Week in 2018, Bella suffered a clear nip slip while closing the show. She was wearing a strapless black top that simply couldn't keep up with her "fierce" runway walk.
Did she freak out? Nope.
She didn't even break her stride. This is where the difference between a "celebrity" and a "supermodel" becomes clear. For Bella, the body is a tool for the designer’s vision. In the industry, nudity isn't scandalous; it’s a Tuesday. She has often said that she views her body as part of the garment's silhouette. If a strap falls or a sheer fabric reveals more than intended, she treats it with the same nonchalance as a loose thread.
The "Free the Nipple" Movement vs. High Fashion
There is a massive distinction between the "Free the Nipple" activist movement and the way Bella Hadid operates. The activist movement is about legal and social equality—the idea that women should have the same right to be topless in public as men.
Bella’s approach is more "aesthetic liberation."
Take her recent appearance in Aspen in January 2026. Even in the freezing cold, she was spotted leaving dinner at Casa Tua in a sheer Georges Chakra Fall 2004 lace dress. It was transparent, bold, and entirely deliberate. By choosing archival pieces like this, she’s signaling that she isn't just following a trend; she’s curating a history of fashion that celebrates the female form without apology.
Key Moments of Style Subversion:
- The 2024 Cannes Saint Laurent Dress: A sheer, tea-colored "naked" dress that left nothing to the imagination but was hailed as one of the most elegant looks of the year.
- Orebella Campaigns: Even when launching her fragrance line, 'Ôrəbella, she often chooses sheer knits or "free the nipple" ponchos to emphasize a "skin-first" brand identity.
- The 2026 Premiere of The Beauty: While her Schiaparelli gown for the premiere of her new FX series was a bit more structured, it still utilized sheer paneling to create that signature "is-she-or-isn't-she" tension.
Why People Get It Wrong
The biggest misconception is that this is all for "attention."
If you look at Bella’s career trajectory—especially her recent pivot into acting and her advocacy for mental health and Lyme disease awareness—it becomes clear that her fashion choices are about control. For a long time, models were told what to wear and how to look. Now, as a veteran in the game, Bella chooses these sheer, daring looks herself.
She’s basically saying, "I know you're looking, and I'm okay with that because I'm the one in charge of the view."
It’s a power move. When she wears a sheer top without a bra to a Dior Men's show, she’s rejecting the male gaze by staring it right in the face. It’s not an invitation; it’s an observation of her own autonomy.
Practical Takeaways from the Hadid Style Guide
You don't have to be a multi-millionaire supermodel to take a page from Bella’s book on confidence and body positivity. Here is how that "IDGAF" energy translates to real-world style:
- Intentionality is Everything: If you're going to wear something sheer or daring, do it with a plan. Whether it's choosing the right high-waisted underwear or a statement necklace, the "look" should feel like a choice, not an accident.
- Confidence over Coverage: The reason Bella rarely looks "trashy" in these outfits is her posture and her attitude. She moves as if she’s wearing a suit of armor.
- The Art of the Archive: Much of her best "exposed" looks come from vintage collections (like 2004 Georges Chakra). Look for older pieces that use lace and mesh in structural ways rather than just "cheap" fast-fashion transparency.
Ultimately, the conversation around Bella Hadid and her fashion choices isn't going away. As she moves into her 30s and expands her career into acting with The Beauty, she seems more comfortable than ever in her own skin—literally and figuratively.
Next Steps for Your Wardrobe:
If you're looking to experiment with the sheer trend safely, start by layering a sheer mesh turtleneck over a solid silk camisole. It gives you that "Hadid-lite" aesthetic without the red-carpet risk. Focus on the quality of the fabric; silk mesh and fine lace always look more sophisticated than synthetic blends.