In a 2017 Vogue Italia article, the author discussed the topic of toplessness with director, actor, and political activist Lina Esco, who had challenged public nudity laws in the United States with her film “Free the Nipple.” The film sparked a political movement, supported by celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Cara Delevingne, and the hashtag #FreeTheNipple spread quickly on social media. The same year, actor Alyssa Milano’s tweet “me too” further amplified the movement against sexual assault, building on activist Tarana Burke’s work.
The author reminisced with designer Alessandro Michele about their favorite topless beaches from their youth in Italy. They recalled how natural and common toplessness was in Italy in the ’90s, with bodies of all shapes and forms freely on display. Michele reflected on the beauty of imperfection and unique stories told through people’s bodies, noting that the “un-beauty” of that time was actually the ultimate beauty. In Italy, everyone from young girls to grandmothers, regardless of age or body type, embraced toplessness without judgment.
The author described the cultural status quo of toplessness in Italy as democratic, with women on Mediterranean beaches showcasing their naked bodies without hierarchy. There was little censorship of naked breasts in media, with magazine covers featuring free nipples and porn stars like Ilona Staller and Moana Pozzi even founding a political party called the Love Party. The author recalled a neighbor proudly displaying the party’s banner with a topless Cicciolina winking, highlighting how normalized and accepted nudity was in Italian society.
The author reflected on how the naturalness of nudity in Italy created a sense of unity among people, bridging societal divides and erasing hierarchies based on body appearance. The author appreciated how toplessness was a part of the national conversation and aesthetic, blurring the lines between sexuality and art. The acceptance of naked bodies in public spaces, such as beaches and magazines, fostered a culture where individuals felt free to express themselves without fear of judgment or censorship.
Overall, the author’s discussion of toplessness in Italy highlighted the cultural differences in attitudes towards nudity and body acceptance. Through conversations with Lina Esco and Alessandro Michele, the author explored the evolution of movements like “Free the Nipple” and “me too,” which challenged societal norms and empowered individuals to embrace their bodies without shame. Italy’s embrace of toplessness as a natural and beautiful expression of individuality served as a contrast to the censorship and judgment often seen in other parts of the world.
