CULTURE

Rihanna Is the Ultimate Fashion Icon

by Chrystin Bunion

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Over the past decade, Rihanna has gone from emerging artist to international style icon. In honor of the singer’s birthday, here’s a look back at the W cover star‘s most daring ensembles.

1September 2005

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The rising star arrived at the Baby Phat Spring 2006 fashion show in a baby doll-style sundress with lots of eyeliner and nude-pink glossed lips.

2December 2005

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Wearing baggy jeans and a crop halter top, Rihanna was cute and sporty at Z100’s Jingle Ball.

3September 2006

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Rihanna went for the glamorous, diva look at the Conde Nast 3rd Annual Fashion Rocks Concert in a metallic Zac Posen gown.

4December 2006

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Rihanna sparkled in a white, Marilyn Monroe-inspired dress after winning Best Female Artist of the Year at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards.

5September 2007

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Rihanna donned a daring new asymmetrical bob and a neon pink, mermaid-style gown at the MTV Video Music Awards.

6October 2007

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Rihanna visited TRL at MTV’s Studios in Times Square in a strapless bustier top, flared jeans and a knit beanie.

7March 2008

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Rihanna was edgy and fun at the Nickelodeon’s 2008 Kids’ Choice Awards thanks to a new pixie cut and pink polka dot bustier top.

8June 2008

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The singer played with color at the 2008 BET awards in a neon yellow Giambattista Valli gown and a playful purple lip.

9January 2009

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Rihanna’s short, cropped hairstyle gave a little edge to her Jasmine di Millo ruffled dress at the RIAA and Feeding America’s Inauguration Charity Ball.

10May 2009

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Rihanna went for the men’s wear look in a Dolce & Gabbana tux with ’80s-inspired shoulders to the ‘The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion’ Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

11January 2010

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Newly blonde, Rihanna arrived at the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards in a ruffled Victorian-inspired Elie Saab Haute Couture gown.

12March 2010

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Rihanna attended the Echo Award 2010 in a geometric high-fashion Alexander Vautiher bat-cap jumpsuit with serious shoulder pads.

13February 2011

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Rihanna switched up her hairstyle–yet again. This time opting for a cherry red, voluminous curls.

14May 2011

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Continuing her love affair with scarlet, Rihanna attended the ‘Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty’ Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art rocking a long, red French braid, rimmed eye make-up and maroon lip that perfectly coordinated with her sheer, embellished gown.

15February 2012

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The singer looked effortlessly chic at the Stella McCartney presentation during London Fashion Week in a green silk slip dress, courtesy of the designer, with sun-kissed blonde shoulder-length hair.

16September 2012

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Rihanna arrived to the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards in a backless white Adam Selman dress debuting, of course, a new cropped hairstyle.

17February 2013

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The singer turned heads at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards in a gorgeous sheer gown by Azzedine Alaia.

18November 2013

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In a sexy Jean Paul Gaultier couture two-piece and coordinating head wrap, Rihanna was completely seductive at the 2013 American Music Awards.

19May 2014

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Rihanna attended the ‘Charles James: Beyond Fashion’ Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in a Stella McCartney two-piece dress that showed off her perfectly toned stomach.

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Rihanna in custom Adam Selman at the CFDA awards.

21October 2014

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Rihanna showed some skin in a Tom Ford gown at the 2014 amfAR LA Inspiration Gala. Her ponytail, long lashes and bright orange lip upped the overall glam factor of the look.

22March 2015

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Pretty in pink. The singer filmed an episode of ‘Good Morning America’ in a Pascal Millet jumpsuit, blazer and faux fur stole.

23May 2015

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Rihanna attends the ‘China: Through The Looking Glass’ Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in a yellow couture gown from Chinese designer Guo Pei.

24February 2016

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Rihanna looked gothic chic in a look of her own design during the FENTY PUMA by Rihanna Fall 2016 show at New York Fashion Week.

25February 2016

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Showing off her killer body yet again, the singer attended the 2016 MusiCares Person of the Year event in a sheer, embellished gown and pointy-toed converse-inspired sneakers, both by Marc Jacobs.

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Rihanna in Dior.

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Rihanna in Altuzarra.

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Rihanna in Kiko Mizuhara for Opening Ceremony.

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Rihanna in Giambattista Valli couture.

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Rihanna in Vivienne Westwood Red Label.

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Rihanna in Dior.

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Rihanna in Altuzarra.

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Rihanna in Kurt Geiger.

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Photo by Josiah Kamau/BuzzFoto via Getty Images.

Rihanna in New York, March 2016.

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Rihanna in Burberry in New York, New York, January 2017.