Reality star Louise Thompson praised for ‘naked dress’ admission

Not that long ago, Louise wouldn’t have worn this “transparent” dress due to her “unique” bodily feature – but she no longer wants to hide.

A British reality star has shared an empowering message after stepping out in a “naked dress” just months after having stoma surgery.

Louise Thompson, who rose to fame on the popular Hayu series Made In Chelsea, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2018.

Colitis is a chronic bowel condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed and small ulcers develop on the colon’s lining, which can bleed.

Despite there being no known cure, there are many ways to manage its symptoms. Ms Thompson went “into remission” shortly after her diagnosis after starting medication.

Following a “near-death experience” in 2021 when she gave birth to her son Leo, two, who she shares with fiancé Ryan Libbey, the popular health and fitness influencer saw her symptoms worsen.

After being hit with a string of other health issues, including PTSD and postnatal anxiety, Asherman’s syndrome – a rare condition where scar tissue builds up inside the uterus – and lupus, her ulcerative colitis became unbearable.

Finally, Ms Thompson made the decision to have a colostomy bag fitted, describing it as “life saving” in April.

Reality star Louise Thompson has opened up about her recent stoma surgery. Picture: Instagram/LouiseThompson

She recently wore a ‘naked dress’ in Paris but said it was a feat she wouldn’t have been able to do just a few months earlier. Picture: Instagram/LouiseThompson

The 34-year-old mum has been determined not to let the plastic bag, which collects faecal matter, affect her confidence – and just stepped out wearing a “naked dress”.

She wore the “incredibly see-through” black ruffle maxi-dress from House of CB to Vogue World in Paris over the weekend.

Alongside a video that has been viewed 3.5 million times on Instagram, she wrote: “A stoma does NOT need to define your life.”

“I take great pleasure in standing up, speaking up and showing up for the hundreds of thousands of people in the UK that live with one,” she wrote.

“Let me tell you – you should NOT feel imprisoned by the judgement of others. Easier said than done I know.

“Living with something like this that has the capacity (after the physiological and psychological adjustment) to change your life for the better can be incredibly freeing.

“It can also change your outlook on life. Nothing like bad health to serve as the starkest reminder of what’s important and for putting other things into perspective.”

‘A stoma does NOT need to define your life.’ Picture: Instagram/LouiseThompson

The former reality star said some of the most outgoing and confident people she knows “have something a little unusual about them”.

“I guess I’m now in that camp,” she wrote.

“People keep telling me I look the happiest and healthiest I have looked in ages and it’s wonderful. So if you’re scared, let me be your reminder that things get easier with time.”

She concluded by admitting she would have been too scared to wear the naked dress a few months earlier, describing it as “silly”.

“But fast forward to the present and I didn’t have to think twice when the girls I travelled to Paris with told me it was the best look out of the beautiful options I took with me,” she shared.

“It also happened to be the most affordable and the only one that wasn’t couture.”

However, Ms Thompson had no idea her dress was so sheer until after the event, revealing it became evident when looking at footage captured on the night.

“I only discovered when looking back at videos later that evening that as the sun started setting it turned 1000000 x more sheer, verging on transparent,” she said.

Fans praised the former Made In Chelsea star for ‘refusing to hide’ her disability. Picture: Instagram/LouiseThompson

Her 1.5 million followers were quick to praise Ms Thompson for “refusing to hide” her disability.

“You look incredible, bag or no bag,” one fan wrote.

“Oh my goodness, the confidence this would have given me to see this 12 years ago, beautiful,” another said.

As one praised: “What you are doing to normalise stoma bags is just brilliant.”

Others said they had no idea Ms Thompson had a bag fitted.

“I never knew you had a stoma bag... you are the epitome of stunning,” shared one.

“I can’t even see the stoma bag under your dress – incredible,” revered another.

She was fitted with the bag after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2018. Picture: Instagram/LouiseThompson

She described the stoma bag as 'life-saving'. Picture: Instagram/Louise Thompson

Ms Thompson initially revealed her medical condition with an equally candid post in April. She pleaded with fans to “be kind”.

“HOW DO I DISCLOSE THIS SORT OF NEWS?” she wrote.

“It’s not exactly exciting like a big pregnancy or gender reveal announcement! Hey look I’m having a boy… Hey look I’ve got a stoma!

“So I guess I’ll just stand here. Proud in stature. With my new friend. Le bum bag, that represents life. And hopefully a better one.

“Isn’t it bizarre that this little grey pouch is the price I pay for good health! I say good riddance to that nasty menacing colon.”

She accompanied the post with a series of snaps, including a topless selfie which flaunted the life-saving accessory.

Originally published as Reality star Louise Thompson praised for ‘naked dress’ admission