Emily Ratajkowski once again commanded the spotlight at Paris Fashion Week, arriving at the Loewe fall-winter 2023-2024 show in a look that left little to the imagination. The model and actress stepped out wearing only a giant anthurium flower as a top, completely bare-chested beneath the botanical piece. The daring ensemble, part of Loewe's spring-summer 2023 collection designed by Jonathan Anderson, instantly went viral, with fans and fashion critics alike praising her confidence and avant-garde styling.
The Rise of Emrata: From Blurred Lines to Fashion Icon
Emily Ratajkowski first shot to fame in 2013 when she appeared in Robin Thicke's controversial music video "Blurred Lines." Since then, she has parlayed her modeling career into acting, writing, and business ventures. Her 2021 essay collection My Body explored themes of female autonomy, objectification, and the entertainment industry. Divorced from Sebastian Bear-McClard in 2022, Ratajkowski has embraced a more liberated personal style in recent months, often attending events without a bra and favoring sheer or revealing outfits.
The No-Bra Trend Takes Center Stage
Ratajkowski's Loewe appearance is the latest instance of the "no bra" trend that has dominated red carpets and runways over the past year. Celebrities like Florence Pugh, Kendall Jenner, and Bella Hadid have all embraced the braless look, often in sheer tops or cut-out dresses. The trend reflects a broader shift toward body positivity and the rejection of restrictive undergarments. By pairing the anthurium top with low-waist black trousers and heeled sandals, Ratajkowski created a silhouette that elongated her frame—she stands at 1.70 meters—while keeping the focus on the dramatic flower.
Loewe: A Canvas for Artistic Expression
The Spanish luxury house Loewe, under the creative direction of Jonathan Anderson since 2013, has become known for pushing boundaries with surreal and sculptural designs. The spring-summer 2023 collection featured exaggerated florals, oversized proportions, and trompe-l'œil effects. The anthurium top—look 32 in the collection—was a highlight, turning the model into a walking still life. Anderson has often cited nature and art as inspirations, and the collection was shown in a minimalist Parisian venue that allowed the clothes to speak for themselves.
Ratajkowski's choice to attend the fall-winter show in a spring-summer piece created a deliberate anachronism, blurring seasons and expectations. She arrived alone but was soon joined by supermodel Naomi Campbell, who famously took her by the hand as they entered the venue. The image of the two women—one a veteran of the industry, the other a digital-age icon—symbolized the changing face of fashion.
Social Media Frenzy and Cultural Commentary
The outfit sparked heated debates online. Supporters praised Ratajkowski for reclaiming her body and challenging societal norms about nudity. Critics argued the look was gratuitous or attention-seeking. Yet, as with many of her fashion moments, the conversation quickly expanded to include discussions about feminism, celebrity, and the male gaze. Ratajkowski has consistently used her platform to speak about these issues, and her fashion choices often serve as extensions of her public persona.
Fashion week shows at Loewe have historically been theatrical affairs. For fall-winter 2023-2024, Anderson presented a collection that juxtaposed structure with fluidity, incorporating floral motifs that echoed the giant anthurium worn by Ratajkowski. Jewelry and brooches shaped like flowers were also featured, reinforcing the botanical theme that is emerging as a key trend for spring.
Beyond the immediate shock value, Ratajkowski's appearance underscored the power of fashion as a storytelling device. The anthurium—often associated with hospitality and abundance—became a symbol of her unapologetic self-possession. As she navigates life post-divorce and continues to build her brand as an author and entrepreneur, these sartorial statements are both personal and professional.
Other celebrities at the show included actress and model Emily in Paris star Lily Collins, whose costumes have been a talking point of the series. The juxtaposition of Ratajkowski's real-life fashion risks with the fictional styling of Collins' character highlighted the blurred lines between entertainment, fashion, and commerce—a theme Ratajkowski knows all too well.
Ratajkowski's ability to generate headlines with a single look is a testament to her cultural impact. She has mastered the art of the red carpet moment, from her micro-mini skirts to her transparent Cult Gaia dress at another fashion week event. Each appearance builds on her narrative as a woman who controls her own image.
The Loewe show itself received positive reviews, with critics noting Anderson's continued growth as a designer. The use of unexpected materials—like the rubberized texture of the anthurium—added a tactile element that resonated with attendees. Ratajkowski's choice to wear the piece as a top rather than a prop further demonstrated her commitment to the collection's vision.
In the days following the show, searches for "anthurium top" spiked, and multiple fashion blogs dissected the look. Some speculated about how such a garment could be constructed: a molded resin with a hidden harness? Others wondered if Ratajkowski had used double-sided tape or if the flower was simply perched on her shoulders. The mystery added to the allure.
For now, Emily Ratajkowski remains one of the most talked-about figures in fashion. Her willingness to take risks—whether by baring her body or by speaking out against industry injustices—ensures that she will continue to be a fixture in the cultural conversation. As the floral trend blooms across Spring 2023 collections, her anthurium moment will be remembered as a defining image of the season.