Nicole Kidman looked to the past while embracing the sheer trend at SXSW. The actress stepped out in a see-through dress from Fendi’s spring 2008 collection.
Kidman arrived at the SXSW premiere of her new film “Holland” while wearing a transparent striped tiered dress with a cape overlay. Kidman accessorized the look, designed by the late Karl Lagerfeld, with dainty diamond pavé rings, diamond pavé hoop earrings, a watch, and pointed-toe heels. Beauty-wise, she wore subtle winged eyeliner and styled her hair in an updo with a bow.
Nicole Kidman at the “Holland” Premiere during the SXSW Conference & Festivals held at the Paramount Theatre on March 9, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
Michael Buckner
When the look debuted on the runway it was styled with a pair of strappy sandal heels and an oversized statement belt — an aughts era staple that has been gaining traction amid a Y2K style resurgence. The tiered transparent look was plentiful in the spring 2008 collection, which also included romantic takes on laser-cut lace.
A model walks down the catwalk during the Fendi Spring/ Summer 2008 collection part of Milan Fashion Week on September 27, 2007 in Milan, Italy.
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Nearly two decades later, as aughts era fashion is experiencing a revival, the sheer trend is still dominating the runway. For spring 2025, transparent takes were plentiful in the collections of Khaite, Ralph Lauren, Jason Wu, Alaïa, Christian Siriano, LaQuan Smith, Grace Ling, Luar and Tory Burch. See-through styles have also been trending on the red carpet, with celebrities stepping out in sheer ensembles at the recent Grammy Awards, last year’s MTV Video Music Awards and the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
Kidman was joined at the SXSW premiere of “Holland” by her costars Matthew Macfadyen, Gael García Bernal, and Jude Hill. In the film, which also features Rachel Sennott, Lennon Parham, and more, Kidman stars as a teacher whose life is turned upside down when she begins to suspect that all is not what it seems with her husband.
This year’s SXSW also brought out Jenna Ortega, Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick, Issa Rae, and more.
