Rihanna at CFDA Awards – Fancy and Pretty Much Naked

Rihanna received the style icon award earlier this week at the CFDA awards for her fearless approach to dressing. So what does one wear when being honoured for having no fear when it comes to style? Show up in a beaded and totally transparent gown, of course. And this wasn’t any kind of beaded gown. It was a custom, crystal-embellished fishnet dress (covered in over 200,000 Swarovski crystals) with matching 20s-inspired headpiece and gloves designed by young American designer Adam Selman (who happens to the partner of Rihanna’s long time stylist, Mel Ottenberg). A light pink fur stole completed the look. Obviously the look generated some controversy – but wasn’t that the point? Sure, this wasn’t a dress any regular person could ever wear. But she’s a young sexy pop star. And this was all about making a statement, and that she did. After all, they’re just boobs. She looked incredible. And her makeup was total perfection. Apparently, in person, the crystals caused so much glare in the light, you couldn’t even tell how transparent the dress was. Overall, I thought the look was fearless – and fancy.

In terms of some the other red carpet looks at the annual fashion awards, Blake Lively disappointed by essentially impersonating Barbie. After totally stepping up her game recently at Cannes, she wore an unexciting olive and pink embellished sleeveless Michael Kors mini dress, bad platform pink suede shoes and hair that resembled a Stepford wife. She doesn’t miss often and while not totally unfortunate, this look was a definite miss.

It stark contrast to Lively’s look, the Olsen twins looked super chic and grown up in matching black coat dresses by The Row and beautiful Sidney Garber jewellery. And I love Mary-Kate’s strappy Christian Louboutin sandals. The twins for sure have their own style and they do it well.

The lovely Lupita Nyong’o wore a Suno color blocked jumpsuit. It was definitely different but at least she’s consistent in the way she continues to make a statement, has fun with fashion and doesn’t take it all that seriously. She keeps us guessing and it seems like she’s having fun doing it.