Chappell Roan Stuns Grammys With Daring Mugler Look

Chappell Roan, the ever-bold pop provocateur, made headlines once again at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026, with a red carpet look that left little to the imagination—and plenty for the fashion world to discuss. Arriving at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, Roan, 27, stunned onlookers and photographers alike in a custom negligee dress and sheer cape, crafted in deep garnet silk georgette. The ensemble, designed by Mugler creative director Miguel Castro Freitas, was anything but ordinary: the sheer fabric hung loosely from silver nipple rings, creating a so-called 'naked dress' effect once the cape was removed, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Roan has never been one to shy away from sartorial statements. At last year’s Grammys, she wore a Jean Paul Gaultier dress inspired by Edgar Degas’ ballerina paintings, and just days before this year’s ceremony, she channeled a modern-meets-retro nurse at the premiere of Charli XCX’s film The Moment. But her 2026 Grammys look pushed the envelope even further, drawing direct inspiration from Manfred Thierry Mugler’s controversial spring/summer 1998 collection—a show famous for its nipple ring-suspended dresses, as modeled by Erica Vanbriel. Freitas reimagined that iconic silhouette for his spring/summer 2026 Mugler collection, and Roan was more than happy to bring it to life on music’s biggest night. As Vulture quipped, "It’s not really a red carpet unless there’s at least a smidge of nudity, and Chappell Roan just arrived to deliver it via a silver platter (er, via silver nipple rings)."

For the red carpet interviews, Roan draped herself in a sheer cape for modesty, telling E!’s Zuri Hall that the carpet felt “overstimulating” because “people are filming you and you don’t know what they’re doing with it.” Yet, when it came time to pose for photographers, she boldly removed the cape, revealing the full extent of the daring design. The Paris-based Mugler label described the look as a homage to Mugler’s 1998 collection, and Roan’s version included subtle pasties to cover her nipples—unlike Bianca Censori’s shock-value naked ensemble at the 2025 Grammys, as The Hollywood Reporter noted.

Roan’s willingness to challenge convention isn’t just a matter of aesthetics. She’s developed a reputation for breaking the mold, both in her music and her style. On the carpet, she told E!’s Zuri Hall, “I do it my own way. Which is, I guess, kind of my whole vibe. I like breaking the mold.” That ethos has defined her career, from her breakout album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess to her six Grammy nominations in 2025, when she also took home Best New Artist. This year, she was up for two of the night’s most coveted awards: Best Pop Solo Performance and Record of the Year for her hit single “Subway.”

Despite the attention on her outfit, Roan’s night was about more than just fashion. She took to the stage to present the Best New Artist award to 26-year-old Olivia Dean—a full-circle moment, given Roan’s own win in that category the previous year. Notably, by the time she appeared onstage, Roan had changed out of her headline-grabbing Mugler dress, opting for a less revealing ensemble. As of Sunday evening, she hadn’t posted any details about her red carpet look to her Instagram account, where she commands an audience of 7.6 million followers.

Roan’s fashion choices have always been conversation starters, but they’re never simply for shock value. Her looks are meticulously crafted and steeped in references—this year’s Mugler dress nodding to both high fashion history and a lineage of red carpet risk-takers. As Vulture pointed out, "Lady Gaga once wore real meat on the red carpet, for crying out loud. I think we can all handle a little female anatomy." In an era when many celebrities play it safe, Roan’s willingness to "push the envelope" (as The Hollywood Reporter described) sets her apart and keeps her at the center of cultural conversations.

Her influence extends beyond the red carpet. Roan’s music has resonated with fans and critics alike, with “Subway” earning her two major nominations this year. And while fans may be eager for a follow-up to her debut album, Roan herself has been candid about the creative process. Back in the summer of 2025, she predicted it would take her “at least five” years to release her sophomore effort. However, she offered a glimmer of hope during her Grammy night interviews, revealing, “I have started writing but I don’t know what the collection of songs means yet and that just takes time but I know that I feel excited to write.”

Roan’s approach to both music and fashion is fearless. Whether she’s channeling Miss Piggy drag, standing up to disrespectful photographers, or baring it all in a sheer Mugler creation, she’s committed to authenticity and self-expression. She’s made the step-and-repeat a less stressful, more dynamic experience for fellow pop stars and fans alike, and her presence at the Grammys is always eagerly anticipated.

Fashion historians and pop culture observers have drawn connections between Roan’s look and the broader history of red carpet rebellion. Mugler’s 1998 nipple ring dress was itself a statement about body autonomy, gender, and the spectacle of celebrity. By reviving that silhouette in 2026, Roan and Freitas invited a new generation to reconsider the boundaries of fashion and self-presentation. As The Cut observed, "Whether you love her style or hate it, Roan is at least always presenting us voyeurs with something to ogle at and dissect, and that’s more than we can say for many red-carpet looks nowadays."

For all the controversy and headlines, Roan’s night at the Grammys was ultimately a celebration—of risk-taking, creativity, and the ongoing evolution of pop music’s visual language. Her willingness to bare herself, literally and figuratively, continues to inspire discussion and admiration. As the cameras flashed and commentators weighed in, one thing was clear: Chappell Roan isn’t just breaking the mold—she’s making a new one.