Florence Pugh responds to criticism of sheer Valentino gown

As part of Haute Couture Fashion Week, actress Florence Pugh took to the runway in Rome in a stunning pink, Valentino dress. One of the most recent in the string of 'Barbiecore' pink that's recently come back into style with actresses like Margot Robbie and Anne Hathaway. Styled by Rebecca Corbin-Murray, Pugh's sheer gown has caused quite the uproar on social media platforms.

Since the press photos were released on the internet, Pugh has been the subject of both positive praise and crude criticism for her choice of attire. Those that love the dress are lauding the English actress for her celebration of her body, her grace in handling backlash, and the beauty of the dress itself. Those with negative comments are parroting the age old adages of 'there are children watching' or even criticising the actresses body itself. The audacity of those that think they have the right to comment on a woman's body is astounding.

@Florence_Pugh her body, her nipple. If you can’t see it or feel judgement or want to brand her with a feminine shaming word that’s your problem.

She’s looking gorgeous and is body confident, that’s what matters ❤️

Normalise pics of women’s bodies, they’re not just sexual.

— DigiGirl (@oeysterpearl) July 11, 2022

Pugh responded to the critism on her Instagram account yesterday saying "Grow up. Respect people. Respect bodies... And all because of two cute little nipples."

 

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A post shared by Florence Pugh (@florencepugh)

It has long been a double-standard on platforms like Instagram, Twitch, and Facebook that female nipples have to be censored in all posted photos. According to Instagram's community guidelines "“For a variety of reasons, we don’t allow nudity on Instagram. This includes photos, videos, and some digitally-created content that show sexual intercourse, genitals, and close-ups of fully-nude buttocks.

“It also includes some photos of female nipples, but photos in the context of breastfeeding, birth giving and after-birth moments, health-related situations (for example, post-mastectomy, breast cancer awareness or gender confirmation surgery) or an act of protest are allowed. Nudity in photos of paintings and sculptures is OK, too.”

Despite feminist outcry against this (including the 2012 movement 'Free the Nipple'), the policy has stood. In the past Miley Cyrus, Madonna, and Rhianna have lent their voices to the questioning of this guideline. Currently, cheeky women have taken to half-hearted attempts to have their content fall within the community guidelines. This includes the strategic placement of flowers, barely adequate scribbles, or a brazen middle finger.

As of right now Pugh's photos have remained up on the platform.

Bruh people hating on Florence Pugh’s body makes zero since to me??? Like???

— Syd 🦖 (@Sadneyyy) July 11, 2022