:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/MileyCyrusEmbed1-bf3d0adebc9049f78d4094fb61d9f92c.jpeg)
Fashion isn't usually about hardware. At least, not the kind you find in a junk drawer. But when Miley Cyrus stepped onto the 2024 Grammys red carpet, she wasn't just wearing a dress. She was wearing a mathematical feat of engineering held together by 14,000 gold safety pins.
Honestly, the Miley Cyrus sheer dress wasn't just a "naked dress" trend follower. It was a cultural reset for a singer who had spent years trying to find a balance between her "Wrecking Ball" chaos and her "Endless Summer Vacation" sophistication. You've probably seen the photos. The hair was big—Dolly Parton big. The skin was bronzed. But the garment? It was a literal cage of gold that took 675 hours to construct.
The John Galliano Connection
People often forget that this wasn't some random fast-fashion mesh. It was custom Maison Margiela, designed by the legendary John Galliano. Galliano has always been a bit of a fashion sorcerer, but this particular look felt different. It was actually a self-reference, pulling from his own 1997 "Susy Sphinx" collection.
Think about that for a second.
✨ Don't miss: What Really Happened With the Brittany Snow Divorce
Most stars wear "vintage" by pulling something out of a vault. Miley worked with the original creator to reinvent a nearly 30-year-old concept using nothing but tiny bits of metal. It sort of makes you realize how much work goes into looking that "undressed." The dress featured a high collar and draped sleeves, but the torso was basically a transparent lattice of interlocking pins.
What was it made of, really?
- 14,000 gold safety pins: These weren't just decorative; they formed the actual structure of the textile.
- 675 hours of labor: That’s roughly 28 days of non-stop work if someone didn't sleep.
- Zero fabric: Outside of the metal, there was no traditional lining or cloth backing the main body of the gown.
The 2025 Evolution and the "Something Beautiful" Era
Fast forward to 2025, and Miley hasn't slowed down on the sheer front. While the gold safety pin gown was the peak of "high-concept" Miley, her more recent appearances in New York City have shifted the narrative. Promoting her album and film Something Beautiful, she's been spotted in a crystal-studded netted gown by Schiaparelli.
It’s less "warrior queen" and more "Old Hollywood ghost."
🔗 Read more: Danny DeVito Wife Height: What Most People Get Wrong
The black sheer dress she wore in NYC in mid-2025 felt like a natural evolution. It had this massive cut-out across the clavicle and transitioned into a mesh fabric that pooled at her feet. She’s leaning into this "If you know, you know" aesthetic. It's sophisticated but still retains that edge that makes her, well, Miley.
Why the "Naked Dress" Trend isn't Dead
You might think the sheer trend is over. You'd be wrong. In 2024 and 2025, we saw everyone from Tyla to Doja Cat baring it all, but Miley remains the blueprint. Why? Because she pairs the exposure with extreme technicality.
When she wore that sheer Alaïa at the 2025 Grammys—the one she called "sickening" while presenting Record of the Year—it wasn't just about the skin. It was about the reference to Azzedine Alaïa’s 1991 collection. She is using her body as a canvas for fashion history.
💡 You might also like: Mara Wilson and Ben Shapiro: The Family Feud Most People Get Wrong
The Practical Side of "Nearly Naked"
Look, nobody is suggesting you go to a wedding in 14,000 safety pins. That sounds like a TSA nightmare and a literal pain to sit down in. But the Miley Cyrus sheer dress moments have changed how we think about transparency in everyday fashion.
If you're looking to take inspiration from this without the 675 hours of labor, the key is the "layer and reveal" technique. Miley often pairs her sheerest looks with dramatic outerwear—like the ivory Schiaparelli opera coat she wore in NYC.
How to actually wear the trend
- Texture over transparency: Look for mesh that has embroidery or beading. It provides more "coverage" than flat chiffon while keeping the sheer vibe.
- The Under-Layer: Miley's Margiela look used strategically placed pins to create the illusion of a thong. For us mere mortals, high-waisted seamless briefs are the move.
- Contrast: If the dress is "naked," the hair needs to be "clothed." Miley’s 2024 Grammys hair was a massive, structured bouffant. It balanced the lack of fabric below.
The sheer dress isn't about being seen; it's about the confidence of not needing to hide. Miley’s shift toward becoming the face of Maison Margiela in late 2025 proves that this wasn't a one-off stunt. It was a career pivot. She went from being the girl who shocked the world with a foam finger to the woman who commands the respect of the world's most elite couturiers.
Next time you see a sheer gown on a red carpet, don't just look at what's missing. Look at how it's held together. Usually, it's just thread. In Miley’s case, it was 14,000 pieces of gold and a lot of history.