Rihanna is a fashion icon. She broadened the scope of inclusive in fashion with her Savage x Fenty brand and made history as LVMH’s first Black woman designer in 2019, to name a few of her groundbreaking contributions to fashion. Her career is worthy of every accolade, but her style is more personal. It represents the 35-year-old Barbadian musician’s ability to break convention with her wardrobe, and convey empowering and freeing messages through her clothing.
[Rihanna’s] career in fashion is worthy of every accolade, but her style is more personal.

She upgraded the naked-dress trend in Adam Selman at the 2014 CFDA Fashion Awards, where she was recognized as fashion icon award winner.

When she wore a strategically unbuttoned pink Chanel puffer coat to announce her first pregnancy with partner A$AP Rocky, she changed the way we think of maternity fashion, making it feel sexier and bolder than ever before

. What’s most exciting about Rihanna’s style is that she’s a rule breaker. She rarely subscribes to traditional modes of thinking when it comes to dressing, pairing heart-shaped fox fur coats with shorts or slip dresses with floor-length pants.

Rihanna’s singular sense of style is fully on display at the Met Gala. One of the most exciting stars to walk the red carpet every year, the “Lift Me Up” singer shows that she is a true student of fashion by studying the theme and choosing her outfit with intention and thoughtful consideration. In 2015, she blew everyone away in a custom gold embroidered gown by Guo Pei for the Met Gala’s “China: Through The Looking Glass” theme. When she chaired the ball in 2018, she nailed the “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” theme in a custom John Galliano dress replete with a hat to resemble the Pope.

While she works with renowned stylist Jahleel Weaver to dream up many of her outfits, there is no denying Rihanna’s input as both a collaborator and artist. And her résumé reflects her prowess: in the past, she was named creative director of Puma in 2014; fronted campaigns for Armani, Balmain, and Dior; and developed collections with Manolo Blahnik, Chopard, and Amina Muaddi.

Ahead, scroll through time and count down Rihanna’s best fashion moments to date.

Rihanna at Club Up and Down in NYC, 2016

Wearing a sheer green fringe and beaded look for the MTV VMAs afterparty.

Rihanna in NYC, 2016

Wearing an Adam Selman dress and Stella McCartney platforms.

Rihanna at a Lakers Game, 2016

Wearing a Dior anorak, Citizens of Humanity jeans, and Dior bag.

Rihanna Performing “Lift Me Up” at the 2023 Oscars

Rihanna Backstage at the 2023 Oscars

Wearing a Bottega Veneta look with Area x Sergio Rossi strappy sandals and a Briony Raymond anklet.

Rihanna at the Fall 2022 Gucci Show During Milan Fashion Week

Wearing a Gucci look with a Briony Raymond cross-pendant necklace and Amina Muaddi shoes.

Rihanna at a Gucci Afterparty During Milan Fashion Week, 2022

Wearing a vintage Gucci dress, Lang Antique necklaces, and a Gucci bag.

Rihanna at Kappo Masa in NYC, 2019

Wearing a beige oversize blazer over a champagne slip skirt.

Rihanna at the 2018 “Oceans 8” UK Premiere

Wearing a Poiret dress with Giuseppe Zanotti sandals, a Christian Louboutin clutch, Konstantino earrings, and rings from Eleuteri and Harry Kotlar.

Rihanna in New York City, 2015

Wearing an LBD with strappy stiletto heels that wrapped up the thigh.

Rihanna in NYC, 2015

Wearing a Marni dress, Versace choker, Fenty necklace, and Chanel loafers.

Rihanna in London, 2010

Wearing a “She Died of Perfection” graphic T-shirt under a Stella McCartney jacket with a tulle skirt and Marni pumps.

Rihanna at JAY-Z’s Roc La Familia T-Dot Takeover, 2005

Wearing a blue cropped hoodie and white track pants.

Rihanna in London, 2012

Wearing a Joyrich sweater dress.

Rihanna at Westfield Stratford City in London, 2012

Wearing an Acne striped set under a Raf Simons coat.

Rihanna in London, 2012

Wearing a prep-punk outfit with a plaid varsity jacket.