Award-winning actress Florence Pugh, 26, walked the red carpet at Valentino’s haute couture show in Rome on Friday, July 8 in a stunning, halter-necked bright pink gown, with the top part of the dress being completely see-through.
In an Instagram post over the weekend, Pugh said she was “feeling magical” in the Valentino dress and thanked the brand’s creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli, referring to him as an “absolute genius.”
However, sadly Pugh’s see-through look did not come without criticism, leading Pugh to address the negativity on Instagram.
In a powerful statement, Pugh called out the “vulgar” men who passed comments on her see-through dress. She also questioned why some social media users were “so content on being so loudly upset by the size of my boobs and body?”
Pugh also said it was “interesting to watch and witness is just how easy it is for men to totally destroy a woman’s body, publicly, proudly, for everyone to see.”
She finished off her post with the hashtag “ffreethefnipple”, in reference to the movement campaigning for the cultural and legal acceptance for women to bare their nipples in public, in the same way men can.
Newsweek has her statement below.
Florence Pugh’s Valentino Dress Statement in Full
“Listen, I knew when I wore that incredible Valentino dress that there was no way there wouldn’t be a commentary on it. Whether it be negative or positive, we all knew what we were doing.
“I was excited to wear it, not a wink of me was nervous. I wasn’t before, during, or even now after.
“What’s been interesting to watch and witness is just how easy it is for men to totally destroy a woman’s body, publicly, proudly, for everyone to see. You even do it with your job titles and work emails in your bio..?
“It isn’t the first time and certainly won’t be the last time a woman will hear what’s wrong with her body by a crowd of strangers, what’s worrying is just how vulgar some of you men can be.
“Thankfully, I’ve come to terms with the intricacies of my body that make me, me. I’m happy with all of the ‘flaws’ that I couldn’t bear to look at when I was 14.
“So many of you wanted to aggressively let me know how disappointed you were by my ’tiny tits’, or how I should be embarrassed by being so ‘flat chested’.”
She continued: “I’ve lived in my body for a long time. I’m fully aware of my breast size and am not scared of it.
“What’s more concerning is…. Why are you so scared of breasts? Small? Large? Left? Right? Only one? Maybe none?
“What. Is. So. Terrifying.
“It makes me wonder what happened to you to be so content on being so loudly upset by the size of my boobs and body..?
“I’m very grateful that I grew up in a household with very strong, powerful, curvy women. We were raised to find power in the creases of our body. To be loud about being comfortable. It has always been my mission in this industry to say ‘f*** it and f*** that’ whenever anyone expects my body to morph into an opinion of what’s hot or sexually attractive.
“I wore that dress because I know.
“If being loudly abusive towards women publicly in 2022 is so easy for you, then the answer is that it is you who doesn’t know.
“Grow up. Respect people. Respect bodies. Respect all women. Respect humans. Life will get a whole lot easier, I promise.
“And all because of two cute little nipples….
“Oh! The last slide is for those who feel more comfortable with that inch of darker skin to be covered…”
Alongside her statement, Pugh posted three images wearing the gown in the streets of Rome.
The final image was of Pugh, placing her fingers over the nipples and looking up at the sky. She wore her iconic nose ring and triangle earrings to complete the looks. Fans have been praising Pugh online after her statement, including some famous faces.
Joey King, best known for starring in Netflix’s The Kissing Booth commented: “You are truly so amazing. You put into words what so many feel but can’t articulate.”
Bridgerton and Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan posted: “Adore you.” alongside a pink love heart.
West Side Story’s Ariana Debose commented: “RESPECT. Period.”
