Luxury lingerie brand NUEAME made a stunning debut on the red carpet at the prestigious amfAR Gala during the Cannes Film Festival, unveiling its first haute couture gown worn by American supermodel Lindsey Wixson. Designed by the brand’s creative director, Stefano Mencarelli, the one-of-a-kind dress marked a bold new chapter for the Italian maison.
Entirely handcrafted in NUEAME’s Bologna atelier, the gown reflects the brand’s deep commitment to sartorial excellence and a daring aesthetic. Crafted in draped fil coupé silk, the look celebrates the sensuality of lingerie as outerwear. Its centerpiece—a sculptural corset—emerges boldly from the neckline, with cups subtly revealed at the front and a fully exposed back, adorned with visible hooks and over 1,000 hand-set zircon stones on each boning strip.
Linsdey Wixson in Nueme @amfAR Gala, Cannes 2025. Courtesy Credit: Getty Images
A high slit and artful draping at the waist highlight the intricate internal construction, allowing the gown’s lingerie-inspired craftsmanship to take center stage. More than just a red carpet moment, this creation is a stylistic manifesto for NUEAME, introducing the brand’s evolution under Mencarelli’s visionary direction.
CAP D’ANTIBES, FRANCE – MAY 22: Lindsey Wixson attends the amfAR Gala Cannes 2025 presented by Chopard at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 22, 2025 in Cap d’Antibes, France. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images)
Formerly active in New York and seasoned with experience at major luxury houses, Stefano Mencarelli now serves as both the creative heart of NUEAME and a mentor at Milan’s Istituto Marangoni. “With NUEAME, we aim to celebrate a self-aware, free, and deeply aesthetic femininity,” he explains. “The dress for Lindsey pays homage to her iconic strength and graceful boldness.”
The design draws inspiration from NUEAME’s “Shiny” collection, which celebrates light as a symbol of energy and awareness. The collection features sophisticated, contemporary pieces crafted from luxurious fabrics like fil coupé, chiffon, silk twill, and organza. Signature pieces include a kimono made from animal-print fil coupé, perfectly balancing tailoring and understated sensuality.
Founded by a group of young entrepreneurs, NUEAME merges Italian craftsmanship with a vision of empowered femininity. Its name, blending “nue” (naked, pure essence) and “âme” (soul, the true self), encapsulates the brand’s ethos of authenticity and liberation.
Through its community platform, NUEAME World, the brand champions a culture where women are encouraged to express themselves freely, confidently, and without compromise.
