Honestly, if you were anywhere near a screen in late 2022, you saw it. The image of Bella Hadid standing almost entirely bare on a lit stage while two guys with spray cans "painted" a dress onto her body. It was one of those rare internet moments that actually felt like real fashion history. But here’s the thing—most people just saw the viral clip and moved on. They didn't see the frantic backstage energy or the weird science that makes a liquid turn into a wearable gown in under ten minutes.
Fast forward to right now in January 2026, and Bella is still the undisputed queen of the "naked dress" trend. Just a couple of weeks ago, she rang in the New Year in Aspen wearing a sheer, vintage George Chakra piece from 2004 that basically proved the look isn't going anywhere. But why does she keep doing it? And how did that spray-on Coperni moment actually work?
The Coperni Incident: It Wasn't Just Paint
Most people call it the bella hadid nude dress from Paris Fashion Week, but it technically wasn't paint at all. It was something called Fabrican. This stuff is wild. It’s a liquid suspension of cotton and synthetic fibers in a polymer solution. When it hits the air (and Bella’s skin), the solvent evaporates, leaving behind a non-woven fabric that feels a bit like suede or soft jersey.
Dr. Manel Torres, the Spanish scientist who invented it, spent years perfecting the "chemist-tailor" vibe. He was literally standing there on stage at the Musée des Arts et Métiers, spray gun in hand. Bella stood there for 15 minutes. Can you imagine the discipline? She’s holding her breath, perfectly still, while this cold, wet mist covers her.
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Why the "Naked" Start Mattered
She walked out in nothing but flesh-colored undergarments. It felt vulnerable, almost like a clinical experiment. But that was the point. Coperni designers Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant wanted to show the transition from human to "dressed." Once the spray settled, Charlotte Raymond, their head of design, stepped out and actually cut a slit into the leg and draped the straps off the shoulders. It wasn't just a gimmick; it was a fully functional, washable, and reusable garment.
The 2026 Resurgence: From Paris to Aspen
If you think the naked dress trend died with that viral moment, you haven't been looking at the 2026 red carpets. Bella just "resurrected" the look on New Year's Day. She was spotted at Casa Tua in Aspen wearing an archival 2004 George Chakra dress. It was black lace, completely sheer, and worn over what the internet has affectionately dubbed "granny panties."
It’s a specific kind of confidence.
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We’re seeing this everywhere now.
- Saint Laurent Sheer: Bella wore a completely see-through beige YSL gown at Cannes recently.
- The Orebella Shoots: Her new fragrance line, Orebella, has been marketed with her in "beaded naked dresses" that look more like jewelry than clothing.
- The Gold Lungs: Remember the 2021 Schiaparelli look? Technically a black dress, but the "nude" element came from the massive gold lung necklace that covered her bare chest.
The Science and the Controversy
Is it sustainable? Kinda, but not really. While Fabrican can be dissolved back into a liquid and sprayed again, the aerosol cans themselves are a nightmare for recycling. In 2022, the fumes in the room were so strong some guests were coughing. It’s a bit of a contradiction. Fashion wants to look futuristic and "green," but sometimes the tech hasn't quite caught up to the optics.
There's also the "body standard" conversation. A spray-on dress only works if you have a certain physique, right? Or at least, that’s the critique. When you’re talking about a bella hadid nude dress, you’re talking about a garment that leaves zero room for error. It’s a high-wire act of styling and anatomy.
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What Most People Get Wrong
People think these moments are just about "showing skin." They aren't. For Bella, these are performance art pieces. She’s often talked about how nervous she gets. In a 2021 Vogue interview, she admitted she was terrified of a wardrobe malfunction with the Schiaparelli lungs, saying she did a "cup check" in the car and just hoped for the best.
How to Pull Off the "Naked" Look (In Real Life)
Look, most of us aren't getting sprayed with polymers in the middle of a dinner party. But the "nude" aesthetic is actually pretty accessible if you play it smart.
- Layering is your best friend: Bella often pairs her sheerest dresses with heavy vintage coats. In Aspen, she threw a brown fur-lined coat over that lace Chakra dress. It creates a "peek-a-boo" effect rather than just being exposed.
- The "It-Girl" Underwear: Forget tiny thongs. The 2026 trend is high-waisted, full-coverage black briefs under sheer fabric. It looks intentional and editorial, not accidental.
- Texture Over Color: If you're going for a nude palette, make sure there’s beading, lace, or some kind of 3D element. Otherwise, you just look like you're wearing a bodysuit.
The real takeaway from the bella hadid nude dress saga isn't just about the shock value. It’s about how fashion is merging with material science. We’re moving toward a world where "size" might not matter because the clothes are literally formed to your specific shape in real-time. That’s a future that’s actually worth talking about.
For your next look, try experimenting with sheer paneling or "trompe l'oeil" prints that mimic the body. It gives you that Bella-esque edge without needing a team of scientists in your living room. Start with a sheer maxi skirt over a solid mini, then work your way up to the more daring lace overlays that are dominating the 2026 season.