Sydney Sweeney isn’t one to shy away from bold fashion moments — and her latest red carpet appearance in Los Angeles proved exactly that.
The Euphoria star turned heads at the Variety Power of Women gala on Wednesday night, dazzling in a silver mesh dress that left fans and photographers absolutely captivated.
As camera flashes caught the shimmering details of her gown, it became clear that the 28-year-old actress had gone braless beneath the intricately designed piece — a daring move that highlighted both her confidence and her keen eye for style.
The Dress That Stole the Spotlight
Sweeney’s look wasn’t just another Hollywood glam moment — it was the result of a creative collaboration between renowned designer Christian Cowan, 29, and rising star Elias Matso, 23.
The silver gown, which wrapped around her like a piece of sculptural art, emphasized her tiny waist and toned figure.
Though it appeared delicate and sheer, the dress was actually incredibly structured, featuring a long, steel-boned corset that extended from her hips to just below her bust.
Hundreds of hours went into creating the one-of-a-kind piece, which debuted at Cowan’s New York Fashion Week 2026 runway show.
The gown was made from crystal mesh carefully draped and manipulated over the corset to form a striking hourglass shape — a modern twist on old-Hollywood glamour.
The Rising Designer Behind the Masterpiece
Elias Matso, who only graduated from Parsons School of Design earlier this year, hand-sewed every detail of the gown himself.
From the delicate draping to the precisely placed eyelets, he made sure the design reflected both craftsmanship and vision.
Speaking about his design process, Matso explained to Seacoastonline, “The corsets are so important in all the dresses.
They keep the draping in place — it’s basically a bodysuit corset with a dress built around it. Without that tightness, the illusion of the waist disappears.”
Sweeney’s choice to wear Matso’s creation marked another major moment in the young designer’s career.
Earlier this year, he also designed a stunning look for Alicia Keys during her headline performance at the Summer Sonic Festival in Osaka, Japan.
A Collaboration Born from a Bold Message
Interestingly, the Cowan–Matso partnership wasn’t planned — it began with a simple online interaction.
After Cowan congratulated Matso on a feature in Dazed magazine, Matso seized the moment and invited him for coffee.
Cowan declined the coffee but offered something far better: an opportunity to collaborate. “Let’s skip the small talk and just design,” he suggested.
Over the next six weeks, Matso worked tirelessly — 13-hour days sketching, experimenting, and perfecting his ideas.
By the time Fashion Week rolled around, his creations were ready for the runway.
Now splitting his time between New York and Florence, where he’s completing a term at Polimoda Fashion School, Matso is determined to continue pushing for sustainable fashion practices while building his name in the global scene.
The Mentor Who Shaped the Moment
Christian Cowan, already a household name in high-fashion circles, has a story just as inspiring as his protégé’s.
After studying at London College of Fashion and completing a foundation year at Central Saint Martins, Cowan burst onto the scene in 2014 when Dazed spotlighted his glittering pink tuxedo design.
That same piece caught the eye of Lady Gaga, who wore it in an interview just a week later — and soon, stars like Miley Cyrus and Rihanna followed.
By 2017, Cowan had relocated to New York and launched his namesake label, debuting at New York Fashion Week to critical acclaim.
Over the years, Cowan has collaborated with major brands and pop culture icons — from Cartoon Network’s Powerpuff Girls collection, which supported women’s education, to partnerships with ASOS and Lil Nas X, whose silver sequined suit became one of the most memorable looks of the 2019 MTV VMAs.
A Meeting of Glamour, Talent, and Timing
What made Sydney Sweeney’s moment so special wasn’t just the dress — it was what the creation represented: the meeting of experience, mentorship, and rising talent.
In her shimmering silver gown, Sweeney didn’t just walk a red carpet — she showcased the next generation of designers stepping confidently into the spotlight.
And for Matso and Cowan, the night was a reminder of what can happen when two creative minds skip the small talk and dive straight into brilliance.