It has been a whirlwind Met Gala ride for Rihanna who flew in from Los Angeles on Friday to prepare for last night s performance. There were stylish sightings of the superstar in the city over the weekend, but yesterday saw the 27-year-old truly embrace her inner fashion fanatic as she rolled out a sensational wardrobe from the street, to the red carpet, and beyond.
Arriving at The Carlyle hotel yesterday evening to get ready for her grand entrance, Rihanna revisited a nineties throwback look consisting of a teddy-style slip dress and old-school Puma kicks. Lifting the look into Cobain territory were round-frame Le Specs sunglasses and a grunge-era bandana—contrasted, of course, with the opulent Guo Pei coatdress with fur trim she wore on entering the museum. Ascending the staircase like a golden empress, Rihanna paid homage to the evening’s theme and was one of the standout attendees who wore a creation by a Chinese designer.
For her surprise performance, she married the stark duality of her Grammy award show looks—namely the oversize suit and princess dress—with a cool and feminine bustier, billowing palazzo pants, and chinoiserie-inspired platform slippers. Although judging by the ensemble that she wore to her after-party at Up Down, her Bad Gal RiRi alter ego came out to play much later on: Who else but her could pull off a sheer, fur-trimmed top worn over a sheer bra? Consider this a complete study in the new look of boudoir dressing from dusk till dawn.
André Leon Talley talks to Rihanna on the red carpet:
