When it comes to red carpet controversies—and let’s be honest, there’s never a shortage—one has to wonder: Did that really just happen or was it just a clever PR stunt? But we certainly wouldn’t have guessed that to be the case for Kanye West’s latest stunt at the Grammys.
If there’s one thing Kanye West knows, it’s how to make a moment go viral, and this time, he wasn’t alone. His wife, Bianca Censori, took to the red carpet in what can only be described as a blink-and-you-miss-it sheer dress. Though, let’s be real—there wasn’t much to miss at all.
Censori arrived in a dramatic black fur coat, which she later removed to reveal an entirely sheer slip dress, leaving little (read as: nothing) to the imagination. Within seconds, everyone from red carpet photographers to X fashion critics—did a double take. Of course, the spectacle didn’t end there, because shortly after their headline-grabbing entrance, there were reports about the couple being escorted out of the event by security—making their appearance as brief as Censori’s outfit. Naturally, the internet erupted with debates about the boundaries of red-carpet attire and the motivations behind such a display. Was this a high-fashion risk? A boundary-pushing statement? Or just another one of West’s infamous publicity stunts? Spoiler: All of the above.
Just hours later, Censori was spotted at the Grammys after-party in a figure-hugging black bodysuit, which as it turns out, is one of the first women’s pieces from West’s latest Yeezy collection. Coincidence? We think not. Ye, once again, has turned personal fashion choices into walking billboards for his brand. He even took to Instagram to post Censori’s look, subtly confirming that the Grammys stunt was simply just another elaborate marketing ploy.
Of course, the internet had mixed reactions. Some called it a genius PR move, while others questioned if Censori had a say in it at all. But one thing’s for sure—love it or hate it, the stunt certainly got everyone talking.
At the end of the day, West and Censori pulled off exactly what they intended: a viral moment, a trending Yeezy collection, and another headline-grabbing fashion controversy. And in today’s world, isn’t that what keeps the hype (and the business) rolling?
Lead image credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/ Getty Images
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