Happy Birthday, Lil’ Kim! Why Hip-Hop’s Queen B Remains the Ultimate Trendsetter
Photo: Getty Images1/7Pasties
Now a mainstay in the wardrobes of cool girls like Kendall Jenner and Joan Smalls (and an occasional presence on runways like Saint Laurent), pasties were mostly confined to the burlesque club before Lil’ Kim’s appearance at the 1999 Video Music Awards in a purple jumpsuit and clamshell pastie designed by stylist Misa Hylton. The moment made headlines around the world, thanks in part to fellow presenter Diana Ross giving Kim an on-air jiggle.
Photo: Getty Images2/7Extreme Transparency
Think stars like Bella Hadid are brave for freeing the nipple? Lil’ Kim was doing the same thing more than two decades ago. Wearing dresses that left little to the imagination, she earned her status as rap’s baddest by boldly flouting conventions about how much skin could be shown in public.
Photo: Getty Images3/7Embellished Denim
Before patches and embellishment were mainstays on the Gucci runway, Lil’ Kim embraced the idea that even jeans ought to be exceptional, wearing ripped, frayed, and intricately detailed pairs with her bikini tops and bustiers.
Photo: Getty Images4/7Wigging Out
Long before Kylie Jenner was born, Lil’ Kim used wigs as a statement, choosing rainbow shades to match her outfits and mood. Incorporating the look into her off-duty outfits and the over the top music videos for hits like “Crush on You,” Kim inspired countless others to experiment with faux hairstyles.
Photo: Getty Images5/7Neon Furs
Hip-hop’s love affair with fur is well documented—who could forget Diddy’s floor-length chinchillas?—but Lil’ Kim outdid the guys by adding a jolt of bright color to her repertoire. Incorporating neon shades of green, yellow, and pink into her wardrobe, Kim provided a template that fashion influencers like Rihanna and Teyana Taylor would later pay homage to.