With a string of chart-topping hits under her belt and her status as the queen of Christmas undiminished, Mariah Carey stands tall as one of the most influential musical forces of our time. She’s insured her vocal cords and legs for a cool $70 million! Beyond the obvious bangers like “Fantasy,” “Heartbreaker,” and “We Belong Together” that have etched themselves into our collective consciousness, true aficionados–myself included–recognize the deeper resonance found in her lesser-known gems–tracks like “Can’t Take That Away (Mariah’s Theme),” “The Roof,” and “Through the Rain”–where themes of pain, vulnerability and personal growth connects deeply with her devoted “lambs.”
As an ardent fan of the original pop diva–she was my first concert experience in 1997, I performed her song “Hero” at my first singing recital when I was nine, and I still listen to her music every single day now–this tribute not only celebrates Mariah’s indelible imprint on music and culture, along with her iconic “shady” one liners, but also pays homage to her extravagant fashion sensibilities. To celebrate her 55th “anniversary”–Mariah doesn’t do birthdays–we chart the legendary songwriter’s sartorial evolution from over the years.
The ballad songstress
Ever since her explosive debut in 1990 with her eponymous album, Mariah has been hailed as the prime contender to inherit Whitney Houston’s mantle as the voice of a generation. Back then, she epitomized the image of a ballad diva, with her golden locks and chic little black dresses. Her wardrobe often featured pieces from the Tom Ford era at Gucci, yet one unforgettable ensemble was a crystal-encrusted creation by Pamela Dennis, which she wore in 1991 while accepting two Grammy awards. Reflecting on her fashion choices, she told Vogue, “I know that I was very wrong for the earring choice, but whatever; I’m not going to disrespect the moment!”
The princess bride
Back in 1993, Mariah tied the knot with music tycoon Tommy Mottola at the Grand St Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC. Their extravagant $500,000 union was straight out of a fairy tale, reportedly drawing inspiration from Princess Diana and Prince Charles’s epic nuptials. Mariah stole the show in a breathtaking Vera Wang gown reminiscent of Princess Di’s–decked out with a 10-foot veil and a 27-foot train–reportedly costing a hefty $25,000. The guest list? A star-studded line-up from the ’90s music scene, including Barbra Streisand, Michael Bolton, Bruce Springsteen and Ozzy Osbourne. Although their marriage ended in 1997, Mariah’s unforgettable dress lives on, making a cameo in her “We Belong Together” music video in 2005.
The Y2K girlie
Mariah’s seventh album, Rainbow–my second favorite in her repertoire, after Butterfly, which is often hailed as her magnum opus (even Ariana Grande wore a T-shirt of this album’s artwork recently)–ushered in a new era of style for the songstress. Embracing a more R&B-pop sound over her signature power ballads, she embarked on something of a fashion evolution. In her 1999 “Heartbreaker” music video, she made waves sporting shredded low-rise jeans paired with a spray-painted white tank top. In the years that ensued, during the release of her albums Glitter and Charmbracelet, Mariah showcased a plethora of denim looks. One standout moment was her wearing of a crystal-embellished top shaped like a butterfly, paired with snug jeans and strappy sandals, naturally.
The athlete
Earning a spot on Time Out’s list of all-time worst first pitches (a historic moment, nonetheless), Mariah graced the Tokyo Dome in 2011. While her pitching skills left much to be desired, she served up an athletic-adjacent ensemble, including a cropped pink satin varsity jacket, denim cut-off shorts and a white leather pair of heels (oh and oversized shades and ‘sporty’ diamond hoops).
The snow bunny
In the era predating Aspen’s rise as a magnet for modern-day supermodels and influencers, like Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber, Mariah was already a firm fixture in the elite snow scene, captivating us all with her opulent winter attire. Amidst the snow-kissed landscape, Mariah continues to effortlessly blend luxury labels, such as Burberry and Chanel, yet her style essence lies in harmonious tonalities. Brace yourself for pristine whites and soft beiges, adorned with a plethora of diamonds, as Mariah graces the winter wonderland of Aspen on an annual basis.
The glamorous diva
Mariah’s diva credentials didn’t just come out of nowhere. A quick Google search reveals countless reasons why her name is practically synonymous with the term. From her legendary Mariah-isms–like sleeping surrounded by 20 humidifiers to pamper her voice, or insisting on a red carpet lined with white candles before stepping out of any limousine–to her famous snub of a certain popstar with the classic line: “I don’t know her.” But Mariah’s diva essence isn’t just confined to her quirks; it’s also woven into her style: Think waist-snatching fishtail gowns by Schiaparelli, Giambattista Valli, and Dolce Gabbana. If it’s dripping in glitter, sequins and feathers, even better.
The queen of Christmas
In 1994, Mariah dropped her single “All I Want for Christmas is You”–a sensation that continues to reverberate worldwide every holiday season without fail. Just last year, the track soared to the top spot for the fifth consecutive year, racking up a reported $100 million in royalty earnings. Mariah reigns supreme as the undisputed queen of Christmas, and with the yuletide cheer comes a flood of festive fashions. Picture everything from sassy Mrs. Claus-inspired ensembles to dazzling bodysuits reminiscent of toy soldiers.