Florence Pugh’s Viral Pink Valentino Dress & Tan-Go Platforms: A Statement Against Body Shaming

Florence Pugh has long used the red carpet as a stage for sartorial rebellion, but few moments have resonated as powerfully as her appearance at the Valentino Fall/Winter 2022 Haute Couture show in Rome.

On July 8, 2022, the Little Women star sparked a global conversation on body autonomy when she stepped out in a sheer, floor-length gown in the Maison’s signature “Pink PP” hue.

The look was a masterclass in Pierpaolo Piccioli’s bold creative direction, coinciding with the peak of the “Barbiecore” aesthetic.

By choosing to wear the gown without a bra, Pugh transformed a front-row fashion moment into a viral statement against body shaming. While the sheer tulle left little to the imagination, it was her poise—and her later defense of the look—that solidified the outfit’s place in fashion history.

Ariana DeBose, Anna Wintour, and Florence Pugh sat front row at Valentino’s Fall/Winter 2022 Haute Couture show in Rome, marking one of the most talked-about Pink PP moments of Rome Fashion Week on July 8, 2022 (Credit: Marco Piovanotto / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

It’s a halter-style gown with a high neck, an open back, a cinched waist, and a tulle skirt with a dramatic train.

Adding edge to the look, the Oscar-nominated actress styled her feminine pink gown with a Maria Tash Eternity septum ring with forward-facing diamonds in scalloped settings.

She further accessorized with multiple tiny stud earrings, a pair of pink Rockstud Maxi Brass earrings from Valentino, and a matching pink statement ring.

Florence Pugh made a bold Valentino statement in a sheer Pink PP tulle gown, finishing the look with matching Valentino Tan-Go platform pumps that amplified the drama of her couture moment (Credit: Marco Piovanotto / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

She slicked her short blonde hair back in a softly side-swept style and finished the look with delicate light pink makeup that echoed the romantic tone of her gown.

For her footwear, the 5ft 3 (160 cm) actress wore the popular “Tan-Go” patent leather pumps from Valentino. They’re available in many colors at Mytheresa and Nordstrom.

Florence Pugh paired her sheer Pink PP tulle gown with matching Valentino Tan-Go pink patent platform pumps, letting the sky-high heels peek through the diaphanous layers for a bold, monochrome finish (Credit: Marco Piovanotto / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

Done in the same Pink PP shade, the shoes feature thin ankle straps with an adjustable VLogo signature buckle, 2.2-inch platforms, and 6.1-inch towering block heels.

The Tan-Go pumps stand out with their sky-high platforms, towering block heels, and signature VLogo buckle for a bold, architectural finish

While many of her followers praised her look, some left negative comments about her body, particularly her breast size, and criticized her for flashing her boobs.

Addressing the indecent comments, Florence took to Instagram and hit back at trolls in a lengthy post, saying she already expected that her dress would ignite some reactions, “whether it be negative or positive, we all knew what we were doing.”

Florence added she “was excited to wear it, not a wink of me was nervous. I wasn’t before, during, or even now after.”

She also noted how “easy it is for men to totally destroy a woman’s body, publicly, proudly, for everyone to see.”

“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.”

Adding that she’s “happy with all of the flaws,” Florence also addressed body shamers who are “upset by the size” of her boobs and body.

“What’s more concerning is… Why are you so scared of breasts? Small? Large? Left? Right? Only one? Maybe none? What. Is. So. Terrifying.”

Florence Pugh let her sheer Pink PP Valentino gown billow dramatically behind her, pairing it with matching Tan-Go platform pumps that grounded the ethereal look with bold, sky-high structure (Credit: Marco Piovanotto / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

She went on to say that she “grew up in a household with very strong, powerful, curvy women.” “We were raised to find power in the creases of our bodies. To be loud about being comfortable.”

To end her post, she asked the body shamers to “Grow up. Respect people. Respect bodies. Respect all women. Respect humans.”

Florence Pugh wears her hair in a slick side-swept hairstyle and complements her pink gown with light pink eyeshadow and matte lipstick (Credit: Marco Piovanotto / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

Florence’s willingness to take fashion risks mirrors her bold career choices. Shortly after this viral Valentino moment, she starred in the 2022 psychological thriller Don’t Worry Darling alongside Harry Styles.

While the film’s production was surrounded by high-profile tabloid headlines, it was Pugh’s performance—and her impeccable press-tour wardrobe—that had the most lasting impact on the fashion world.

Florence Pugh and Harry Styles share a steamy kiss in Don’t Worry Darling, directed by Harry’s girlfriend Olivia Wilde (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures / YouTube)

In the years since, her “sartorial rebellion” has evolved. From her leading role in Oppenheimer to her futuristic press tour for Dune: Part Two, Florence has solidified her status as a Valentino brand ambassador.

Her “Tan-Go” platform moment in Rome wasn’t just a one-off trend; it was the start of a “Valentino Era” that redefined how modern stars use height and color to command the red carpet.

Florence Pugh’s Valentino Era, Defined by Statement Heels

From sheer couture gowns to sculptural platform pumps, Florence Pugh’s collaborations with Valentino reveal how footwear anchors even the most daring fashion moments.

Whether she’s commanding a red carpet or redefining modern glamour, her shoe choices consistently elevate the narrative—making her one of the most compelling style figures to watch.