A designer’s perfect fashion plate
Rihanna has just received a top award for her sense of style. The empress of pop’s kit and misses have come a long way, writes Sarah Buitendach
WHEN Rihanna accepted the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s style icon award this week, she did so in a dress that had the Twitter and entertainment worlds abuzz.
Naked save for a Swarovskistudded sheath, fur stole and skin-tone G-string, the Bajan beauty resembled a flapper from the future. Fans praised her risky, sexy frock choice, but critics wondered whether anyone had noticed that the empress of pop appeared to be wearing no clothes at all.
It is not the first time that RiRi has sparked couture controversy or used the way she dresses to make a statement — as a quick look at her sartorial evolution illustrates.
Island Style
Rihanna burst on to the scene in the mid-2000s with hits such as Pon de Replay and SOS. Straight off the boat from Barbados, she had auditioned for Jay-Z and been signed to Def Jam Recordings, where he was then president. Her look was 100% American teen star — all fresh face, jeans, trainers and crop tops by day and matric dance-like outfits for fancy events.
Good Girl Gone Bad
There is always that moment when any young star who has been moulded by managers and a team of stylists starts to push back — to flex their fashion muscles to make the point that they are no longer a kid. For RiRi this came in the form of a bit of leather and lace. It was all very early Madonna — young, flirty and fun . . . and, as phases go, fleeting.
The Dark Side
Hits like Rude Boy and Te Amo were topping the charts in 2009 — but their success was overshadowed by the news that then-boyfriend Chris Brown had been charged with assaulting her. Images of Rihanna’s beaten face flashed across TV screens worldwide. On the red carpet, no doubt in response to it all, Rihanna entered a phase of power dressing, favouring masculine suits, lots of black and Gothic touches.
Modern Muse
You would be hard-pressed to find a contemporary celeb who has taken to the world of couture and high fashion like RiRi. She is the perfect fashion plate for designers — she can wear anything. The godfather of fashion, Karl Largerfeld, is an admirer (she is often spotted at his Chanel shows) and Rihanna has stepped out in outfits by everyone from Viktor & Rolf to Christian Dior.
The Red Period
Track listings and wardrobe aside, it is her hairstyles that Rihanna will be remembered for. One snip of the scissors and her “new ’do” sparks a major beauty trend. Her bravest move? That postbox-red dye job she wore in a variety of successful styles during 2011 and 2012 — all juxtaposed with clever clothing picks.
Style Chameleon
How does one categorise Rihanna’s style as she approaches a decade in the music industry? “Bold and confident” would probably do it. Here is someone who is not afraid to have a little fun — showing off her flawless physique, wearing the highest of haute couture or going casual at a basketball game. Sure there are lows among her high points, but playing it safe? Where is the fun in that?