Poppy Shows Up at iHeartRadio Music Awards in Fashion Week’s Most-Memed Dress
It was only a matter of time, really, before the singer and YouTube star Poppy, who’s practically the Internet incarnate, wore a piece from Viktor & Rolf’s viral, meme-themed couture collection (after all, she did sit front row at the show), which is exactly what she did on Thursday night at the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards in Los Angeles. Ahead of a speech by a sequin-covered Taylor Swift and a performance by Ariana Grande of her song “Needy,” the 24-year-old was the star of the red carpet as the first to wear the collection IRL.
Of the 18 looks, Poppy opted for a confection of bright yellow tulle, complete with puffy sleeves, ruffles, and a bib. On top of all that, she also wore earrings by Tiffany & Co.; a spiked leather choker by the Brooklyn-based label Bitchfist, which came complete with a giant hoop encircling her chest; and platform Nikes made in collaboration with Comme des Garçons. She later reposted an Instagram Story that christened her a Legendary Cult Leader, which sounds about right, seeing as she’s an actual leader of her own church. (She also sells all-caps slogan tees herself, including one which reads CULT LEADER—and another that reads I AM NOT IN A CULT.)
As for which meme she chose, it wasn’t exactly a meme—at least compared to the house’s other slogans like NO PHOTOS PLEASE, F* THIS I’M GOING TO PARIS, I’M NOT SHY I JUST DON’T LIKE YOU, and SORRY I’M LATE I DIDN’T WANT TO COME. Similar to the point made by the collection’s gown that read quite simply, NO, Poppy’s voluminous gown bore the words GO TO HELL, beneath a flaming, wide-eyed skull.
Poppy wearing Viktor & Rolf spring 2019 couture and Comme des Garçons Nikes at the 2019 iHeart Radio Music Awards in Los Angeles, March 2019.
This isn’t the first time that Poppy has caused a stir on the red carpet; last year, she memorably wore a black latex mask to the American Music Awards. This also isn’t her first appearance at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, though her look in 2016, when she went by That Poppy, was a far cry from her ensemble on Thursday night.
Poppy, then known as That Poppy, at the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Awards in Inglewood, California, April 2016.
Related: Poppy, aka the Internet Incarnate, Isn’t Actually That Into the Internet
Viktor & Rolf’s Wildest Wearable Art From the Past 25 Years Show Fashion at Its Most Performative
The House at the End of the World, featuring Heather Marks photographed by David LaChapelle, 2005. Featuring Viktor&Rolf, Bedtime Story, ready-to-wear collection, AW 2005, and featured in the exhibition “Viktor &Rolf: Fashion Artists 25 Years,” up until September at the Kunsthal Rotterdam.
Viktor&Rolf, Performance of Sculptures, haute couture collection, SS 2016.
Viktor&Rolf, Action Dolls, haute couture collection, AW 2017.
Installation view of Viktor&Rolf, Wearable Art, haute couture collection, AW 15/16, featured in the exhibition “Viktor &Rolf: Fashion Artists 25 Years” at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, 2016.
Model Yumi Lambert, seen walking Viktor&Rolf, Van Gogh Girls, haute couture collection, SS 2015.
Viktor&Rolf, Hana, Bedtime Story collection, AW 2005.
Installation view of Viktor&Rolf, Performance of Sculptures, haute couture collection, SS 2016, featured in the exhibition “Viktor &Rolf: Fashion Artists 25 Years,” up until September at the Kunsthal Rotterdam.
Viktor&Rolf with Tori Amos, Paris, 2005, photographed by Uli Weber for Vogue.
Installation view of Viktor&Rolf x Bob Wilson’s stage costumes ‘Der Freischütz’, presented at the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, April 2009, featured in the exhibition “Viktor &Rolf: Fashion Artists 25 Years,” up until September at the Kunsthal Rotterdam.
Installation view of Viktor&Rolf, Action Dolls, haute couture collection, AW 2017, featured in the exhibition “Viktor &Rolf: Fashion Artists 25 Years,” up until September at the Kunsthal Rotterdam.
