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Celebrities

Rihanna's Style Evolution

A look back at the singer's transformation from girlish cookie-cutter pop star to the fierce, fashion-forward femme she's become. Read the complete interview from our February issue HERE.
W Magazine
February 1, 2010 12:00 am
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For her debut album, 2005's Music of the Sun, the 16-year-old singer's image was sexy-cute, but generic.
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Photographer: Craig McDean
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
1/20

For her debut album, 2005's Music of the Sun, the 16-year-old singer's image was sexy-cute, but generic.

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Photographer: Craig McDean
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
2/20

In baggy jeans and, yes, rainbow suspenders, Rihanna (here at Arthur Ashe Kids Day during the 2005 US Open) radiates youth and beach-babe innocence.

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Photographer: Craig McDean
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
3/20

A still-girlish Rihanna in a baby-doll sundress and flats at Baby Phat's spring 2006 show at Radio City Music Hall.

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Photographer: Craig McDean
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
4/20

Traditional elegance: Rihanna at the CFDA Fashion Awards at the New York Public Library in 2006.

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Photographer: Craig McDean
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
5/20

She dips her toe into the fashion world, walking the runway at Dsquared's spring 2008 show in Milan.

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Photographer: Craig McDean
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
6/20

New 'do: Rihanna shocks her fans in 2007 when she bobs her hair and dyes it black, inspired, she says later, by Charlize Theron's character in Aeon Flux.

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Photographer: Craig McDean
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
7/20

Sporting body paint and an a-symmetrical cut in her breakthrough "Umbrella" video, Rihanna cements her edgy new image.

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Photographer: Craig McDean
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
8/20

The rising star, in Gucci, at the label's UNICEF fund-raiser.

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Photographer: Craig McDean
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
9/20

Sassy in ankle boots and an even shorter haircut, in 2008.

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Photographer: Craig McDean
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
10/20

Regrets? Rihanna—in a not especially flattering metallic gray cut-out dress—with then-boyfriend Chris Brown at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards.

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Photographer: Craig McDean
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
11/20

Channeling Michael Jackson: Rihanna in Balmain.

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Photographer: Craig McDean
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
12/20

In a sea of girls in gowns, Rihanna wears a Dolce & Gabbana tux to the Met Costume Institute gala in May 2009, her first major appearance after the Chris Brown incident.

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Photographer: Craig McDean
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
13/20

Stripper chic: the singer pushes new boundaries.

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Photographer: Craig McDean
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
14/20

Look but don't touch: At the 2009 American Music Awards, she performed in a bandage-inspired cut-out bodysuit, shot through with spikes.

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Photographer: Craig McDean
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
15/20

She rocks a pair of Kerin Rose "Barracuda" shades at Fashion's Night Out 2009.

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Photographer: Craig McDean
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
16/20

Rubberized bodysuit and bare legs: Onstage with Kanye West and Jay-Z at Madison Square Garden.

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Photographer: Craig McDean
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
17/20

Scoping out Gareth Pugh's show, sporting drastic new highlights and deep purple lips.

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Photographer: Craig McDean
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
18/20

Perhaps not her best moment: Rihanna attends the 2009 Glamour Women of the Year awards in a controversial accordion-style Stephane Rolland gown.

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Photographer: Craig McDean
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
19/20

Tough as nails: The singer's Rated-R album cover, released November 2009.

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Photographer: Craig McDean
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
20/20
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