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Few stars have disrupted the style industry with as much force asRihanna.
The singer spent years modeling designs from some of the world’s biggest fashion houses on the red carpet (and collaborating on her fair share) before launching her own collections with the likes ofArmani and River Island. Now a10-figure earning mogulwith several clothing businesses under her Fenty company umbrella (ella-ella-ay), she’s smashing sartorial records left and right.
The first Black spokeswoman for Dior as of 2015 and thefirst womanto create a brand for luxury conglomerate LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Rihanna has called fashion her ultimate “defense mechanism.”
“I can compensate for all of my weaknesses with fashion,” the 2014 CFDA Fashion Icon winner, who showed up to the ceremony dripping in a crystal-covered mesh gown and not much else, said while accepting her award. She added: “Fashion should never be frustrating, it should be fun.”
Case in point? The 50-pound goldChinese couture gownwith a 16-foot-train that she walked the red carpet in at the2015 Met Gala, or the voluminous pink Giambattista Valli creation she wore to theGrammy Awardsin 2015.
Even theOscar nominee’smaternity stylewas a cut above! “When I found out I was pregnant, I thought to myself, ‘There’s no way I’m going to go shopping in no maternity aisle.’ I’m sorry—it’s too much fun to get dressed up,” Rihanna, whowelcomed her first childwithA$AP Rockyin May 2022, toldVogue. “I’m not going to let that part disappear because my body is changing.”
Below, here are all of Rihanna’s most iconic fashion looks to date.
Rihanna at theTeen PeopleListening Lounge in July 2005
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In her earliest appearances, Rihanna could often be seen in a belly-baring crop top and low-slung jeans, like the ones she wore at theTeen PeopleListening Lounge in 2006.
Rihanna at the 2006 CFDA Awards in June 2006
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Max Azria designed the formal blue number Rihanna walked the carpet in at the 2006CFDA Awardsin New York City.
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Rihanna at the Fashion Rocks Concert in September 2006
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TheGrammywinner stunned in N.Y.C. at the third annual Fashion Rocks Concert thanks to her metallic silver Zac Posen gown, side-swept chignon and berry lips.
Rihanna at the Billboard Music Awards in December 2006
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Rihanna took home the award for female artist of the year at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas in a stunning white custom Zac Posen design with a plunging neckline and a pleated skirt that gave off seriousMarilyn Monroevibes.
Rihanna at the 49th Grammy Awards in February 2007
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For Rihanna’s first Grammys ceremony on Feb. 11, 2007, she wore a gorgeous green Roberto Cavalli gown with a side cutout and a single strap.
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Rihanna at the BET Awards in June 2007
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Rihanna at the World Music Awards in November 2007
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Rihanna oozed old Hollywood glamour at the 2007 World Music Awards in her emerald green dress with a mermaid bottom.
Rihanna performs at the World Music Awards in November 2007
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For her performance at the event, Riri changed into a short black strapless gown with a flared tulle skirt.
Rihanna at a private dinner in June 2008
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Rihanna at the 2008 BET Awards
Giambattista Valli constructed the fluorescent yellow tiered gown that the “Rude Boy” singer wowed in on the 2008 BET Awards red carpet.
Rihanna at the Met Gala in May 2009
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Rihanna interpreted the Met Gala’s 2009 theme of “The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion” with an androgynous Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo with exaggerated ruched shoulders.
Rihanna at the American Music Awards in November 2009
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Rihanna’s black-and-white origami Marchesa frock with laser cutout roses for theAMAsin 2009 was a sight to behold.
Rihanna at herRated Ralbum release party in November 2009
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Collaborating with Leeora Catalan and design duo The Blonds, Rihanna brought this spiky sheath dress, which reportedly weighed 30 pounds, to life at herRated Ralbum release party at the Juliet Superclub in N.Y.C. in November 2009. “It was made of very heavy metal mesh, so kudos to her for wearing it!” Catalan toldCNNof the garment.
Rihanna at an event in London in November 2010
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Decked out in a gray corset top, a red satin skirt, beige pumps and a polka dot headband, Rihanna was ready to spread some cheer while turning on the Christmas lights at London’s Westfield Shopping Centre in 2010.
Rihanna at the Europe Music Awards in November 2010
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Rihanna’s white corset minidress for her Europe Music Awards performance in November 2010 was adorned with tufted flowers at the hips and back and topped off with a bejeweled crown.
Rihanna at the 53rd Grammy Awards in February 2011
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Jean Paul Gaultier was behind the unique white ruffle frock with sheer inlays that Rihanna wore to the 2011 Grammys.
Rihanna at the DKMS 5th Annual Gala in April 2011
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The star dressed up for a good cause in April 2011, donning a tiered blackDsquared² dressto an event for DKMS — the world’s largest bone marrow donor center.
Rihanna at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2012
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“This is a collaboration between Mr. Armani and myself,” Rihanna toldE! Newson the carpet. “I helped him design this one. I wanted something … [simple]-but sexy and a little gangster at the same time.”
She finished the look off withChristian Louboutinheels.
Rihanna at a Stella McCartney Special Presentation in February 2012
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TheOcean’s 8star posed in a slinky hunter greenGiorgio Armanislip dress with a thigh-high slit and dainty straps across a mostly open back for aStella McCartneySpecial Presentation show. Her chunky gold choker and gold lids also expertly matched herTom Fordsandals.
Rihanna at theTIME100 Gala in April 2012
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As one ofTIME’s most Influential Peoplein 2012, the songwriter attended the magazine’s gala in a strapless hot pink Marchesa creation with a high-low hem and a pointy bustline.
Rihanna at the L.A. premiere ofBattleshipin May 2012
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Rihanna co-designed the super sexy backless Adam Selman gown she wore to the L.A. premiere ofBattleshipon May 10, 2012. “I’ve gotta hold on to my outfit a little tighter than usual,” she joked toAccess Hollywoodof the frock.
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Rihanna promotes herUnapologeticalbum in November 2012
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Looking cool and casual in a pair of black leather culottes and a shiny black top with a gold chain necklace, Rihanna promoted her latest album release at an N.Y.C. Best Buy.
Rihanna walks the red carpet at the 55th Grammy Awards in February 2013
Rihanna’s stunning Azzedine Alaïa gown and long, loose waves struck the perfect note at the 2013Grammy Awards.
Rihanna at the American Music Awards in November 2013
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Rihanna at the 56th Annual Pre-Grammy Gala in January 2014
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The makeup mogul’s style was all grown up at the 56th annual pre-Grammy gala on Jan. 28, 2014, when she showed up in a silky canary yellow Alexander Vauthier couture shirt dress with a flowing train, a deep V-neckline and a ultra high thigh-slit. Gold Louboutins pumps sparkled at her feet whileNeil Lanediamonds iced her wrist, neck and fingers.
Rihanna attends the Miu Miu fashion show during Paris Fashion Week in March 2014
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Dressed in a hugely oversized leather Prada jacket with a fur collar and trim, Rihanna kicked off Paris Fashion Week at Miu Miu in 2014.
Rihanna at the Met Gala in May 2014
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Rihanna turned to Stella McCartney for her look for the 2014 Met Gala — a white long-sleeve crop top with a beaded collar and a matching maxi skirt — the theme of which was “Charles James: Beyond Fashion.”
Rihanna attends the CFDA Fashion Awards in June 2014
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As the recipient of the 2014 Council of Fashion Design of America Fashion Icon Award, Rihanna brought the heat, donning a completely sheer Adam Selman gown covered only with Swarovski crystals (more than 216,000 of them) and a matching headwrap to the event. She later cited her decision not to wear a bedazzled thong with the dress as herlife’s sole regretinVoguein 2016.
“‘I just liked it better without the lines underneath. Could you imagine the CFDA dress with a bra? I would slice my throat,” she told the magazine. She added: “I already wanted to, for wearing a thong that wasn’t bedazzled. That’s the only regret I have in life.”
Rihanna at the amfAR Inspiration Gala in October 2014
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Wearing 2014 amfAR honoree Tom Ford, Rihanna turned heads in a Grecian white gown design with a super high thigh slit and a sheer bra with pink jewels at the breast.
Rihanna arrives at the 57th Grammy Awards in February 2015
Rihanna’s voluminous Giambatista Valli silk-and-tulle gown with an empire waist all buttook over the red carpetat the 2015Grammy Awards.
Rihanna arrives at the Met Gala in May 2015
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Though it was perfect for the evening’s theme of “China: Through the Looking Glass,” it was so over-the-top, even the fashion powerhouse began to doubt herself. “I remember being so scaredto get out of that car because I felt like, ‘I’m doing too much,’ " Rihanna later toldAccessof her iconic look. “I was driving past the red carpet and I was just seeing gowns. I was like, ‘Oh my god, I’m a clown, people are gonna laugh at me.”
Rihanna at a Soho club in August 2016
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Riri was a vision in a chartreuse fringe gown with sheer panels while heading to a club in SoHo, New York, on Aug. 28, 2016.
Rihanna walks the red carpet at the 59th Grammy Awards in February 2017
Armani Privédesigned a head-turning black plissé ballgown skirtand a bold beaded orange crop top for Rihanna to attend the 2017 Grammys in. She set the look off with Chopard jewels galore.
Rihanna at the Met Gala in May 2017
Rihanna at the Cannes premiere ofOkjain May 2017
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In 2017, Rihanna made herCannes Film Festivaldebut, hitting the red carpet for the premiere ofOkjainan off-white Dior ballgownand a tiny pair of Andy Wolf Eyewear shades.
Rihanna at the Met Gala in 2018
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“It was heavy, every step was a squat,” Rihanna later said of the outfit in an interview withEntertainment Tonight. “I promise you my butt gained from that night.”
Rihanna at the 4th Diamond Ball in September 2018
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Alexis Mabille Couture was behind the white lace body stocking ensemble Rihanna hosted the fourth annual diamond ball in, which featured a full skirt overlay that twisted into a bow top. She elevated it even further with a bevy of Chopard jewels.
Rihanna at the 5th Diamond Ball in September 2019
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The evening’s hostess shone bright like a diamond on Sept. 12, 2019, in a black turtleneckGivenchy Haute Couturegown that cascaded down into a white double organza cage skirt.
Rihanna attends a Fenty Beauty event in Seoul, Korea, in September 2019
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Rihanna attends the Fashion Awards in London in December 2019
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Janet Jacksonpresented Rihannawith the Urban Luxe Fashion Awardat the 2019 Fashion Awards ceremony in London. She wore a mint green tube dress from her own Fenty collection for the occasion, complete with matching shawl and sheer gloves.
Rihanna poses for press at the Savage x Fenty Show Vol. 2 show in October 2020
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Wearing little more than a lacy bra, a leather blazer with gloves and a pair of fishnet stockings, Rihanna commanded attention at a press call for the Savage x Fenty Show Vol. 2taping in L.A.
Rihanna at the Met Gala in 2021
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Continuing with her streak of show-stopping Met Gala outfits, Rihanna showed up to the 2021 affair in anoversized sculptural coat dressfeaturing a high collar and flared hem from Balenciaga.
The gala also marked her red carpet debut with boyfriend A$AP Rocky, who coordinated with Rihanna in a multicolor quilted blanket look.
Rihanna celebrates Fenty Beauty in Los Angeles in February 2022
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Rihanna attends the Dior fashion show in Paris in March 2022
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Leave it to Rihanna to make lingerie high fashion. The singer wore a see-through negligee over a lacy bra and thong while sitting front row at the Dior fall/winter 2022/2023 fashion show in Paris in March 2022.
Rihanna at the launch of Fenty Beauty at Ulta Beauty in March 2022
Rihanna at theBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverpremiere in October 2022
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Rihanna walked the red carpet at theBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverpremiere alongside her beau A$AP Rocky while wearing an olive greenRick Owensdress with a fitted bodice and structural detailing at the skirt. A pair of arm-length gloves and pointed-toe olive green heels finished off the glam look.
Rihanna at the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show
Rihanna performing at Super Bowl LVII.Mike Coppola/Getty
Rihannaperformed during the Halftime Showin a custom red Loewe ensemble, which was “designed to build volume in step with the dynamic scenography of the show,” according to the brand.
Rihanna at the 2023 Oscars
The singer paired the piece with black elbow-length gloves and wide-leg pants. She then finished off the look with dangling earrings and a necklace.
Rihanna at the Met Gala in 2023
A$AP Rocky and Rihanna at the 2023 Met Gala.John Shearer/WireImage
Rihanna arrived at the 2023Met Galain anall-white Valentino dress, which featured a long train and a hooded cape covered in 30 silk faille camelias, 500 petals and 25 leaves.
The singer accessorized with fingerless gloves and a pair of white cat-eye sunglasses decorated with huge false eyelashes.
source: people.com
