Dakota Johnson is among the most recognisable faces in Hollywood, having appeared on the covers of several major fashion publications and partnered with prominent brands worldwide. Most recently, the actress features in Calvin Klein’s spring 2026 ad campaign, directed and photographed by Gordon von Steiner.
The campaign opens with Johnson at home in Calvin Klein lingerie, before showing her playing billiards, caressing her torso, and basking in natural light. It is not, however, the first time she has appeared partially unclothed on camera.
‘Fifty Shades’ Franchise
One of Johnson’s most high-profile roles came when she was cast in the ‘Fifty Shades’ franchise. She played Anastasia Steele, a reserved young woman who falls into a relationship with the enigmatic Christian Grey, portrayed by Jamie Dornan. The franchise drew wide audiences in part because of the sexually charged scenes shared by the two central characters. The three-film series, released between 2015 and 2018, established Johnson as one of the few actresses of her generation willing to take on consistently physically demanding and intimate roles at the height of her career.
A ‘Naked Dress Inspiration’
Last year, Johnson attended the Kering Foundation’s Caring for Women dinner in New York City, wearing a black lace long-sleeved dress that attracted considerable attention for its sheer design. The gown accentuated her figure, with only the most intimate areas covered by heavier fabric, and was widely noted as an example of the so-called ‘naked dress’ trend.
In an interview with Vogue Germany, Johnson said she does not concern herself with others’ opinions of her red-carpet choices, with her confidence rooted in long-standing self-acceptance. She also credited her mother, actress Melanie Griffith, with teaching her the importance of caring for herself. The remarks were consistent with a public persona Johnson has cultivated over several years—one defined by openness about her body and a deliberate resistance to the pressures of Hollywood’s beauty standards.
Posing Under the Sun
Johnson graced the cover of Elle Brasil last year, sharing a series of photographs from the shoot on her social media. One image shows her reclining in natural light, legs extended, and one arm outstretched, in a pose that draws attention to her slender frame. Her closed eyes and unhurried expression lend the image a quietly sensual quality.
Showing More Skin
Johnson also made a surprise appearance on ‘Saturday Night Live’, joining musical guest Lily Allen for a performance. For the occasion, she wore a black see-through long-sleeved dress over matching black lingerie. She shared an additional photograph on social media the same day, appearing in a black one-piece outfit.
The Eye Contact
Across her editorial work, Johnson is known for a direct, unguarded engagement with the camera—a quality that gives even the most understated images a quiet magnetism. It is a characteristic that carries through interview footage and behind-the-scenes content alike, and one that sits at the heart of the Calvin Klein campaign’s aesthetic.
Johnson appeared on the cover of Elle UK, photographed fully clothed, fingers tucked beneath the waistband of her trousers. The image is not overtly revealing, but her direct gaze and easy confidence give it an intimacy that reflects her broader approach to fashion photography.
