Key Takeaways
- Charli XCX is evolving as a pop icon in 2026.
- Her Valentino tulle dress showcases a daring fashion statement.
- The photoshoot captures a moody and gothic aesthetic.
- Charli discusses her artistic shift in an accompanying interview.
Charli XCX is redefining what it means to be a pop icon in 2026. After the massive success of her album ‘Brat’, she is moving into a new, more artistic era. For the May 2026 issue of British Vogue, she posed in a series of breathtaking photos that showcase her evolution. Her latest look is a daring combination of high-fashion elegance and raw, unfiltered attitude that only Charli can pull off.
Charli XCX goes completely sheer in Valentino tulle dress for British Vogue
In a stunning black-and-white photograph captured by Rafael Pavarotti, Charli XCX looks like a dark forest fantasy. She is wearing a custom Valentino tulle dress that pushes the boundaries of transparency. The dress features incredibly fine, see-through fabric that drapes over her body like a delicate spiderweb. It features an open-back design and full, sheer sleeves that emphasize the “completely sheer” aesthetic of the piece.
The dress flows down into a long, dark train that contrasts with the natural, tangled vines of the background. Underneath the sheer tulle, she wears minimal black lingerie, keeping the focus on the silhouette and the texture of the Valentino couture. To finish the look, she wears high-heeled Tom Ford sandals with delicate ankle straps, giving her a tall and powerful stance on the stone steps.
Overall, Charli’s look is moody and gothic. Her hair is styled in long, messy waves that fall past her waist, blending into the dark tones of the dress. Her makeup is bold and dark, with heavy eyeliner that gives her an edgy, rebellious stare. She leans against a rustic wooden railing, looking both fragile and incredibly strong.
This shoot accompanies an interview where Charli talks about moving away from “Brat 2.0” to explore deeper feelings about marriage and life. This Valentino look perfectly represents that shift. It is sophisticated and expensive, yet provocative and bold.





