Rihanna has had a drastic journey from unknown Barbados girl to international household name, and her image and fashion sense have gone through a change that has been every bit as radical. Since 2005, the Barbadian pop princess has morphed from a stone-washed-denim-skirt-and-long-hair-weave-wearing teenager to a high fashion diva with a punk edge; one of the greatest transformations in music style history -- and all before her 25th birthday (Feb. 20, 2013). The photo gallery below shows the many faces and fashions of Rihanna through the years.
Rihanna has had a drastic journey from unknown Barbados girl to international household name, and her image and fashion sense have gone through a change that has been every bit as radical. Since 2005, the Barbadian pop princess has morphed from a stone-washed-denim-skirt-and-long-hair-weave-wearing teenager to a high fashion diva with a punk edge; one of the greatest transformations in music style history — and all before her 25th birthday (Feb. 20, 2013). The photo gallery below shows the many faces and fashions of Rihanna through the years.
-
1104939-rihanna-fashion-evolution-617-409
Rihanna has had a drastic journey from unknown Barbados girl to international household name, and her image and fashion sense have gone through a change that has been every bit as radical. Since 2005, the Barbadian pop princess has morphed from a stone-washed-denim-skirt-and-long-hair-weave-wearing teenager to a high fashion diva with a punk edge; one of the greatest transformations in music style history — and all before her 25th birthday (Feb. 20, 2013). The photo gallery below shows the many faces and fashions of Rihanna through the years.
-
106774-1-rihanna-fashion-jay-z-071405-617_409
Described as a “young Rockafella recording artist”, the Barbadian ingenue arrives at the Teen People Listening Lounge hosted by Jay-Z in 2005. Wearing baggy stone-washed jeans peeping her boy shorts and hair that screams TREsemme beachy waves, RiRi hasn’t yet developed a notable fashion sense.
-
106785-2-rihanna-fashion-jean-skirt-081305-617_409
Rihanna looking not so rocking at the “Hope Rocks” benefit concert in 2005. Jean skirts on a red carpet never work, especially when combined with baby-doll lace and silver cowboy boots; sort of cute, very confused.
-
106773-3-rihanna-fashion-crop-top-100605-617_409
For Rihanna’s first appearance on MTV’s TRL in September, 2005 she seems even more confused– embroidered boot cut pinstripes over Chucks and a saber-tooth rosary necklace? This is like a Nickelodeon series meets an archeology expedition. At least MTV brought out the curling iron.
-
106801-4-rihanna-fashion-dress-111205-617_409
Rihanna swaps her jean skirt for something a little more appropriate at the 3rd Annual Vibe Awards in Los Angeles. Girlish and cute, RiRi rocks a baby-doll look with an awkward accessory choice. She’s starting to look a tad more refined.
-
106795-5-rihanna-fashion-sean-paul-022106-617_409
2006: 360. Rihanna films a video for her first #1 hit, SOS, and starts to move from good girl towards an eventual good girl gone bad. An angular hair-cut combined with tight black is a hint at what’s to come.
-
106798-6-rihanna-fashion-sean-paul-032406-617_409
After SOS, the cuteness factor is replaced with something a bit more polished. Thigh-high boots, smart accessories, and a particular color scheme replace a hodge-podge of jewelery and youthful clothing choices.
-
106799-7-rihanna-fashion-japan-052706-617_409
Designers start to catch on Rihanna’s statuesque beauty. Not high-fashion quite yet, RiRi shows up at the MTV Music Awards in Japan in a whimsical yet sophisticated Foley dress.
-
106796-8-rihanna-fashion-MTV-TRL-072506-617_409
This time around on TRL, Rihanna is prepared to wow. Dressed in Dolce & Gabbana neon with Giuseppe Zanotti heels, RiRi gets sultry on the piano.
-
106794-9-rihanna-fashion-fashion-rocks-100706-617_409
Making an appearance at Conde Nast’s Third Annual Fashion Rocks, Rihanna wears a flattering Zac Posen gown accentuating her curves. RiRi steps away from her teenage appeal into something a little more mature.
-
106800-10-rihanna-fashion-MTV-euro-110206-617_409
Rihanna’s last flirtation with soft, long curls. Her stage outfits become more risque in the spirit of Miss Aguilera a la Back to Basics.
-
106797-11-rihanna-fashion-grammy-awards-021107-617_409
2007: At the 2007 Grammy Awards, RiRi sports this Roberto Cavalli diaphanous green dress. Her fashion sense is refined yet adventurous. RiRi’s hair progressively gets shorter and more geometric.
-
106789-12-rihanna-fashion-umbrella-030607-617_409
Rihanna’s hit “Umbrella” made a huge splash and vaulted RiRi to Diva status. At the 2007 MTV Movie Awards, Rihanna sports an asymmetrical bob and plays with a wardrobe alluding to bondage softened with lace.
-
106792-13-rihanna-fashion-zootopia-051807-617_409
Playing up the lace-bondage homage to Madonna, Rihanna’s look is still soft but more conscious of the statement she can make with her wardrobe.
-
106784-14-rihanna-fashion-jumpsuit-japan-070707-617_409
Rihanna starts to always appear on and off the carpet in the hottest trends and designers. Here she poses in Tokyo during the Live Earth concerts in a D-Squared Halter Jumpsuit and Christian Louboutin pumps.
-
106788-15-rihanna-fashion-venus-080607-617_409
In addition to fashion designers taking notice, Venus Breeze declares that Rihanna has the best legs in America in 2007. Named ‘Celebrity Legs of a Goddess’, Rihanna sports a sleek skirt and tank with her popular ‘umbrella’ bob.
-
106783-16-rihanna-fashion-green-110407-617_409
RiRi pays homage to old Hollywood with her curled bob and tightly draped Dolce & Gabba gown.
-
106790-17-rihanna-fashion-clive-davis-020908-617_409
2008: This Egyptian inspired Mara Hoffman dress from her Fall 2008 collection inspired some naysayers. By the looks of this picture, I’m not sure if Rihanna was feeling the print much either.
-
106786-18-rihanna-fashion-BET-062408-617_409
Rihanna plays with color in this Giambattista Valli ruffle gown at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles. Her cute new boy-crop with side-swept bangs makes her look like a pixie.
-
106782-19-rihanna-white-dress-112308-617_409
Rihanna arrives at the 2008 American Music Awards in a Zac Posen asymmetrical dress. Her accessories are minimalist yet perfect. She performs Rehab at the ceremony outfitted in a Diamond encrusted eye-patch.
-
106791-20-rihanna-fashion-RIAA-012009-617_409
2009: Wearing Arampali jewels and a Jasmine di Millo ruffled tulip dress, Rihanna attends the RIAA and Feeding America Inauguration Charity Ball in Washington DC.
-
106787-21-rihanna-fashion-clive-davis-grammy-020709-617_409
Rihanna in a watercolor Gucci gown from the Spring 2009 collection. Later this evening drama ensues between beau Chris Brown and RiRi, leaving her badly beaten and abused.
-
106793-22-rihanna-fashion-model-muse-050409-617_409
Rihanna remerges in May of 2009 after the abuse in February. Rihanna alters her signature look to something more masculine and hard in this geometric and shouldery Dolce & Gabbana suit.
-
106775-23-rihanna-fashion-inglorious-bastards-073009-617_409
Colder and calculated– Rihanna sports an ominous Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall Jumpsuit and Masion Martin Margiela shoe boots at the UK premier of Inglorious Bastards.
-
106779-24-rihanna-fashion-chanel-100609-617_409
Rihanna is Karl Lagerfeld’s darling at Channel’s Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 show. She, of course, wears head to toe Channel and replicates Lagerfeld’s signature cheeky frown.
-
106778-25-rihanna-fashion-alexa-chung-110909-617_409
Looking like Grace Jones at Andy Warhol’?s memorial, Rihanna visits Alexa Chung in a frighteningly pricey Alexander McQueen asymmetrical dress. Still shaded, at least smiling.
-
106776-26-rihanna-fashion-american-music-112209-617_409
Rihanna appears on the red carpet wearing a cut-out black and white Marchesa dress with orange hair at the 2009 American Music Awards.
-
106777-26a-rihanna-perform-112209-617_409
Rihanna also sports cut-outs during the 2009 AMA performance in this bandaged body-suit. Don’t cross paths with this woman.
-
106780-27-rihanna-fashion-launch-112409-617_409
Rihanna at a release party for her most recent album, “Rated R”. Not looking very celebratory, Rihanna reaffirms this by wearing a spiked minidress made especially for RiRi by The Blonds.
-
106781-28-rihanna-fashion-clive-davis-013010-617_409
2010: Rihanna’s flaming hair matches the paneled tulle dress from Viktor & Rolf’s Spring 2010 collection at the Recording Academy’s 2010 GRAMMY Salute To Icons Honoring Clive Davis.
-
106771-29-rihanna-fashion-grammys-013110-617_409
Ruffled and Victorian, Rihanna arrives at the 2010 Grammy’s in an Elie Saab Haute Couture piece from the “All White Collection”.
-
106770-30-rihanna-fashion-green-030410-617_409
Continuing the trend of geometric and diaphanous, RiRi arrives at the Echo Award 2010 at Messe Berlin in a bat-cape with shoulder pads. This bodysuit by Alexander Vauthier and pumps by Christian Louboutin is sexy we think, but still utterly confusing.
-
106769-31-rihanna-fashion-dress-040710-617_409
Rihanna rocks out on American Idol in an outfit reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s Captain Neo.
-
106772-32-rihanna-fashion-performance-041710-617_409
Rihanna performs in the Netherlands looking a little Gagaesque during her new tour. More power to the flashdance pants and the power-suited shoulders.
-
1104489-rihanna-london-topshop-fashion-10042010-617-409
Rihanna rejuvenates her style once again, going girly and vivid instead of monochrome and angular. Here she is at TopShop in London with her now iconic red hair in chunky oxfords and a white tutu. It doesn’t get more girly than that.
-
1104519-rihanna-mtv-europe-fashion-11072010-617-409
At the 2010 MTV European Music Awards, Rihanna trades her spikes for frills in this one-shouldered Marchesa draped tulle gown. The swirling and subtly pink dress is still a strong fashion choice but very feminine.
-
1104499-rihanna-mtv-fashion-11152010-617-409
During MTV’s “The Seven” in 2010, Rihanna brings a little Rude Boy back with this vibrant and geometric jacket paired with neon-lined briefs and fire-engine hair.
-
1104469-rihanna-mtv-music-fashion-11212010-617-409
At the 2010 American Music Awards, Rihanna wears a sheer, lacy Elie Saab Couture gown. The dark scarlet matches perfectly with her curly bob.
-
1104509-rihanna-grammy-red-carpet-fashion-02132011-617-409
At the 2011 Grammy Awards, Rihanna wears a Jean-Paul Gaultier Couture dress and looks like a sexy Michelin Man or a whipped-cream layered cake.
-
1104529-rihanna-brit-awards-fashion-02152011-617-409
At the 2011 Brit Awards, Rihanna rocks a Christian Dior Couture jewel-hued gown. The purple floral bustier paired with the voluminous aqua skirt and adorning bow is youthful and fun.
-
1104479-rihanna-coachella-fashion-04162011-617-409
At Coachella, Rihanna goes full-festival in an army jacket and cut-off jorts.
-
28apr2011-rihanna-fashion-black-dress-dkms-617-600
Image Credit: Getty Images Rihanna hits the 5th annual DKMS Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on April 28, 2011 in New York City with a blazing red ‘do and an all black ‘fit with a train dragging behind.
-
2may2011-rihanna-fashion-alexander-mcqueen-dress-409
Image Credit: Getty Images At the “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011, Rih’ wheres a tight number with her red hair locked in a French braid.
-
5may2011-rihanna-fashion-flowy-dress-nivea-409
Image Credit: Getty Images Bad girl Rihanna hit the “Nivea And Rihanna Celebrating 100 Years Of Skincare” carpet at Grand Hotel Intercontinental on May 6, 2011 in Paris, France in a quite docile white dress.
-
22may2011-rihanna-fashion-all-white-bma-409
Image Credit: Getty Images Rihanna arrived at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on May 22, 2011 in Las Vegas wearing a cute loose suit and nude pumps.
-
22may2011-rihanna-fashion-white-leotard-performing-409
Image Credit: Getty Images Rihanna performed in a sexy white unitard and matching thigh-high boots during the 2011 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena May 22, 2011 in Las Vegas.
-
27may2011-rihanna-fashion-sailor-409
Image Credit: Getty Images The Barbados-born beauty looks fiery as she bares all in this fishnet, striped shirt, and midriff baring sailor look as she performs during NBC’s ‘Today Show’ 2011 summer concert series at Rockefeller Plaza on May 27, 2011 in New York City.
-
19aug2011-rihanna-fashion-teal-fringe-617-600
Image Credit: Getty Images Looking gorgeous in this Antonio Berardi 2012 resort turquoise feathered top, matching pants, and nude Christian Louboutin Pigalle pumps, the pop songstress stunned as she luanced her debut fragrance Reb’lFleur at House of Fraser on August 19, 2011 in London, England.
-
12feb2012-rihanna-fashion-grammys-409
Image Credit: WireImage Among other racy ‘fits worn to the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at the Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, this dress with a neckline so low it stopped just above Rihanna’s belly button caused the Grammys to enforce a more strict dress code for the 2013 edition. It was too hot for CBS to handle.
-
24apr2012-rihanna-fashion-retro-409
Image Credit: Getty Images for TIME In a lively pink dress, Rihanna brightened up the the TIME 100 Gala, which celebrated TIME’S 100 Most Influential People In The World at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 24, 2012 in New York City.
-
7may2012-met-gala-rihanna-fashion-409
Image Credit: Getty Images Rihanna attended the “Schiaparelli And Prada: Impossible Conversations” Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art last May in New York City in a sexy leather dress.
-
10may2012-rihanna-fashion-battleship-409
Image Credit: WireImage Rihanna hit the Los Angeles premiere of “Battleship,” which she had a starring role in, at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live last May in a dress that revealed some chest with it’s droopy neckline and some leg with a high slit.
-
6sept2012-rihanna-mtv-vmas-409
Image Credit: Getty Images An extensionless Rihanna hit the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center in Los Angeles, cropped and cute, in white and red dresses.
-
7nov2012-rihanna-fashion-victoria-secret-409
Image Credit: WireImage With all the models showing off a huge percentage of their bods at the 2012 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Rihanna decided to join in on the action and show off her legs during her performance.
-
1dec2012-rihanna-fashion-perfume-launch-409
Image Credit: FilmMagic California winters are friendly enough for the arm-baring white dress Rihanna wore for the launch of her “Nude by Rihanna” at Macy’s Westfield Century City on December 1, 2012 in Century City, California.
-
10feb2013-rihanna-fashion-409
Image Credit: Getty Images At this year’s Grammy Awards, Rihanna gets our ultimate best-dressed vote for her gorgeous, sheer red-carpet gown by Azzedine Alaia! We’re obsessed with Rih Rih’s more classic look, punctuated by her cascading mermaid curls and pouty red lips. Later in the evening, she slipped into a more salacious, figure-hugging black slip dress that also turned heads as she performed her hit ‘Stay.’