"Did I feel fabulous, edgy, sexy and highly visible? Let’s just say… the transparency of my dress ensured that."
But who could have ever seen the “naked dress” trend exploding in this quarter mark of the 21st century? No red carpet is complete without a celebrity standing completely nude other than a piece of satin dangling from ear lobe. No paparazzi evening finished without a notable personage snapped wearing nothing more that a ziplock baggie.
It is everywhere, now, and while normalized, not one person expected to see Layne Beachley embracing whilst waltzing the catwalk.
The 53-year-old 7x surfing champion was appearing as part of the F*** The Invisible Runway event in Melbourne. According to organizers, it is “an industry-leading runway that rejects the notion that women become invisible as they age and fearlessly showcases fashion that is fabulous, edgy, sexy and highly visible – all with the purpose of inspiring and empowering women in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond to dress however the f*** they want!”
Those in attendance declared Beachely stole the show as she marched out in Melbourne-based Lisa Barron that featured “an embroidered pattern, littered with glittery sequins, had been sewn into the front of the dress.”
“Did I feel fabulous, edgy, sexy and highly visible? Let’s just say… the transparency of my dress ensured that. But what I felt most was JOY. Pure, unfiltered, slightly nervous, wildly grateful joy. The crowd cheered, the energy was electric, and my favourite compliment of the night? “I have never ever seen someone bring so much joy to the runway! Considering I am clearly not a professional model, I decided if I can’t master the smoulder, I’d just bring the whole of me… the surfer, the giggler, the Shaka, the grateful human, to this once-in-a-lifetime moment. Because here’s the truth: We don’t become invisible with age. We become more ourselves. And that is always in fashion.”
Absolutely fabulous.