16 Reasons Why Rihanna Totally Deserves The CFDA 2014 Fashion Icon Award
Not a single day goes by that Rihanna doesn't make waves in the fashion world. She has always been our unofficial Queen of Style, but now, she is finally going to be *officially* recognized for her valiant efforts. The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced today that their 2014 Fashion Icon is none other than RiRi herself, and our main reaction to the news is: IT'S ABOUT TIME. The annual award honors fashion trailblazers (past winners include Lady Gaga and Johnny Depp), and after Rihanna's ultra glamorous 2013-14, we can't imagine any worthier recipient. Take a look back at all the memorable reasons why CFDA totally made the right decision.
SHE BECAME THE FACE OF BALMAIN
Rihanna for Balmain Spring/Summer 2014.
Photo: @badgalriri Instagram
Back in December, Rihanna announced on Instagram (her news outlet of choice) that she was the newest face of Balmain. She also kindly provided a slew of pics from the campaign, teaching us how to look chic wearing power suits in a steam room—we had always wondered, so thanks, Rih!
SHE LANDED HER THIRD 'VOGUE' COVER
Rihanna on the cover of 'Vogue.'
Photo: Vogue
Rihanna looked naturally bold on the March 2014 cover of Vogue, and the accompanying inside spread was just as gorgeous. Her wardrobe varied from oversized jackets to couture Versace, which only affirmed her ability to wear ANY trend. She also was kind enough to dole out some of her super-secret fashion tips, which was thoughtful of her.
SHE GIVES THE BEST STYLE ADVICE
Rihanna weighs in.
Photo: RIHplies Tumblr
Speaking of fashion advice, Rihanna's helpful lessons extend WAY past the pages of Vogue. She has adopted a delightful habit of commenting on Instagram pictures to either give her approval or pro bono consultation. Thanks to her social media addiction, we know the power of kitten heels and that "pants are always a good idea for house parties!" True and true.
SHE WORE A DOOBIE WRAP TO AN AWARDS SHOW
Rihanna at the 2013 AMAs.
Photo: Getty Images
RiRi wore an eyebrow-raising Jean Paul Gaultier ensemble to the 2013 American Music Awards, but it was her hairstyle that garnered the most buzz. She opted to style her locks in a doobie wrap, a look usually reserved for at home to preserve straight hair. The entire head-to-toe outfit was polarizing to say the least, which is only a good thing. If Rihanna knows one thing, it's how to get people talking.
HER RIVER ISLAND COLLECTION IS FABULOUS
Rihanna wearing Rihanna X River Island.
Photos: @badgalriri Instagram
For Rihanna's final winter collaboration with River Island, she created 40 separate pieces that are all amazing. The jackets, patterned separates, and pretty shirt-dresses are equal parts wearable and undeniably ~Rihanna~. Her continuous foray into fashion design also begs the age-old question: WHERE does she find the time???
SHE TOOK PARIS FASHION WEEK BY STORM
CC CERTIFIED.
Photos: Getty Images/Photoshop: MTV/Gaby Wilson
Rihanna was an omnipresent force at this year's PFW, hanging out with pretty much every designer and model on the roster. She looked fabulous in all her front-row appearances and even found time to go on a shopping cart romp with Cara Delevingne and Joan Smalls. Y'know, just a day in the life.
SHE WORE VINTAGE CHANEL TO GO SHARK DIVING
Rihanna in vintage Chanel.
Photo: @badgalriri Instagram
Wait...you DON'T wear vintage Chanel when you go shark diving? Weird.
SHE WILLINGLY GAVE HERSELF A MULLET
Rihanna brings her mullet on a private jet.
Photo: @badgalriri Instagram
Rihanna changes her hairstyle about as often as the rest of us change our socks. Her 'dos usually serve as backdrops to whatever outrageous outfit she happens to be wearing, but there was one style that stole the show last year—we're talking, of course, about her mullet. Mullets have become something of a punchline since the '80s, but when RiRi sported one, we were just like, "Haha...I think?" Only Rihanna could make us question the legitimacy of the mullet.
EVEN HER TEETH ARE WELL-DRESSED
Rihanna debuts her new grill.
Photo: @badgalriri Instagram
Rihanna knows a thing or two about accessorizing, leaving no proverbial stone unturned when she embellishes her outfits. Sometimes she'll even make sure her teeth have a little extra bling. Whether it's posting a silly pic of her gun grill on Instagram or wearing a subtle gold insert to the VMAs, Rih definitely brings a whole new (better) meaning to the term "metal mouth."
SHE'S NOT AFRAID OF OVER-THE-TOP ACCESSORIES
Rihanna and her huge hoops.
Photo: Splash News
When Rihanna wants a casual night out on the town, she might show up in something like jeans and a tank top...and earrings that are each the size of her head, NBD. But seriously, is there some secret earlobe-strengthening exercise she knows about? If so, please share.
GIVENCHY PUT HER FACE ON A T-SHIRT
Rihanna at a Milwaukee Bucks/Miami Heat game on April 21.
Photo: Getty Images/Rihanna's Instagram
Riccardo Tisci decided to put Rihanna's face on one of Givenchy's jersey tees and send it to her as a gift, which was probably, like, a sliiiightly above average day for her. She then wore the impressionistic rendering to a basketball game a couple months later like it was no big thang. I guess being on a first-name basis with the biggest names in fashion makes events like this a little more natural.
HER MUSIC VIDEO WARDROBES WERE ON POINT
A still from Rihanna's "Pour It Up" music video.
Photo: Def Jam Records
Remember how Rihanna is actually famous for being a singer? It's hard to remember sometimes, what with her modeling and designing and what not. But then, she finds time to release a never-ending string of hits, and the memories come flooding back. This past year saw RiRi hit new levels with her music video wardrobes, including rocking Chanel in "Pour It Up" and sharing some bikini-clad moments with Shakira in "Can't Remember to Forget You."
SHE LOOKS BETTER IN MENSWEAR THAN MOST MEN
Rihanna wears Fall/Winter 2014 Givenchy menswear.
Photo: @badgalriri Instagram/Getty Images
Rihanna always makes us swoon when she gets ultra-feminine for red carpet appearances and photo shoots, but she also looks equally great in menswear-inspired pieces...or just straight up menswear. Last year, she wore KTZ sweatpants to a basketball game (the same pair Kanye had previously worn!) AND coordinating separates straight from Givenchy's menswear runway show. Not-much-of-a-spoiler alert: She completely rocked both looks.
SHE TURNED HER BDAY INTO AN IMPROMPTU FASHION SHOOT
SHE does Aspen.
Photo: @badgalriri Instagram
If I uploaded 60 pictures of my birthday to my Instagram account, I would probably lose about 90% of my followers. But I also don't fly out to Aspen and pose in bikinis—which is what Rihanna happened to do for her 26th birthday. She took on the difficult task of making ski suits look sexy, and then switched to the not-as-difficult task of making white bikinis look sexy. Happy birthday to us.
SHE WORE A ZILLION OUTFITS ON HER WORLD TOUR
Rihanna performing in Buffalo, NY during her Diamonds World Tour on March 8.
Photo: Splash News
If Rihanna gets glammed up to hang out with her friends, then you just KNOW she's going to go all out for her world tour. So you probably aren't too surprised that her Diamonds wardrobe was nothing short of perfection. We're talking custom-made, blinged-out, seven-costume-changes-per-show kind of perfection.
SHE MADE GOING SHIRTLESS LOOK GOOD (REALLY GOOD)
Rihanna wears giant cardigan to Chanel's Fall/Winter 2014 Paris Haute Couture show.
Photo: Getty Images
It's weird thinking about the lack of clothes being a fashion statement, but what can we say? It's Rihanna. She helped trailblaze the shirtless trend in a major way last year. First she went shirtless under a floor-length cardigan for a Chanel show, and then went shirtless under an oversized jacket for a SoHo shopping spree a couple months later. Raise your hand if you want to issue a complaint? I see no hands.
