What supermodels really think about posing in the nude

Rosie Huntington Whiteley and Bella Hadid reveal what it's like to pose nude in W Magazine's 'Sexiest Supermodels' shoot.

Stripping off and baring all is for many not exactly a comfortable experience, whatever the context. In the August issue of W magazine some of the world's most famous supermodels have opened up about what it's like to bare all in front of the cameras.

The shoot entitled 'Privacy Settings' features Emily Ratajkowski, Joan Smalls, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Chrissy Teigen, Irina Shayk, Lily Aldridge, Bella Hadid, Anna Ewers, Barbara Palvin and Doutzen Kroes.

Shot by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott and styled by Edward Enninful, the shoot, dubbed "10 sexiest supermodels on social media," is accompanied by a video with models discussing what it really feels like to strip off on camera.

"Even though I'm not very confident with all this getting naked or anything, I think when they put me infront of the camera I just change and I'm playing a character, it's not like I've got to be myself," said Barbara Palvin.

Bella Hadid, who also posed in a risque shoot for V Magazine this month alongside her sister Gigi, said: "I like to be comfortable in my own skin, so it's cool to like be able to shoot like that, i mean sometimes it's uncomfortable but depending on who you're shooting with, it's pretty nice."

Emily Ratajkowski made her name in the raunchy Blurred Lines music video. On the subject of stripping off she said: "Shooting in the nude is normal, I mean, I don't know I think you get used to it and if you have a good team around you and everyone making you feel comfortable, that's all that matters."

British model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley thinks nude shoots can have a positive effect on women: "They [Mert and Marcus] make you feel very womanly and empowered which I think is the most important thing when your shooting nude, there's always a sense of empowerment to it."

While Russian model Irina Shayk thinks it's all about being confident: "You have to be really confident with your body, you have to work out before the shoot of course, that's why I woke up early today and went to the gym and then you have to just know your best angles and feel comfortable. You had to love your body."

"I'm the most comfortable in my own skin, literally just my own skin. I don't know what it is but I think sometimes pieces of clothing can be unflattering." Chrissy Teigan who poses topless in the shoot says.

"I actually am better in less clothing, it's a blessing and a curse" Teigan states.

The cover of August's W Magazine

See the full shoot here: wmagazine.com