CULTURE

Rihanna’s Birthday Outfit is the Perfect High Fashion Troll

Of course she already has it straight off the runway.


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Steven Klein

As of late when we talk about Rihanna in the fashion and beauty space we’re often talking about the items she creates under her own expanding empire: the revolutionary makeup brand, the lingerie line, the recent sneak peek of an eyewear collection, and the rumors of an impending full-service Fenty luxury house under the LVMH umbrella. Though, it shouldn’t take much reminding that Rihanna is an absolute legend when it comes to being the first to sport some of the most talked about items straight off other designers’ runways. That red, heart-shaped Saint Laurent coat from a few years back? Of course Rihanna was quickly seen on the street wearing it. Those more recent crystal-embellished YSL boots? She had her own pair within days. Gucci’s agenda-setting mesh crystal bodysuit? Rihanna borrowed it for casual Coachella wear. Heck, she’s been known to sum up an entire season’s worth of trends in a single outfit.

Her knack for browsing through the fashion sphere and picking the exact right item for the exact right time extends far beyond her Met Gala appearances, and as the outfit she chose to celebrate her birthday in today show, she won’t be slacking off any in her 32nd year.

Just a few weeks after the item premiered on the runways of Paris, Rihanna took to Instagram to reveal that she’s already gotten her hand on an oversized Vetements hoodie that proclaims, appropriately enough, “It’s my birthday and all I got was this oversized hoodie from Vetements.”

Rihanna’s version is a bit different than the one that originally went down the runway. Not only is it a different color-way, but Rihanna’s proclaims “oversized hoodie” while the runway version read, “overpriced hoodie.” As another W editor quipped, “nothing overpriced when ur Rihanna.” Though, both versions will be available when the collection hits stores for $990.

PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 17: A model walks the runway during the Vetements Menswear Fall/Winter 2019-2020 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 17, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Kristy Sparow/Getty Images)

Kristy Sparow

Overpriced, oversized, or otherwise, Rihanna certainly deserves that Vetements hoodie. She was one of the earliest celebrity supporters of designer Demna Gvasalia’s subversive brand, and has continued to support his work both at his original brand and his more recent gig at Balenciaga. If anyone actually deserved that hoodie as a birthday present, well, it’s her.

In any event, here’s hoping Rihanna enjoys her day, because we expect a busy 32nd year for the pop queen. Not only will her fashion and beauty empire continue to grow, but we’ll also likely see the release of her Guava Island film project with Donald Glover later this year and, hopefully, that long awaited album.

Go Inside the Diamond Ball With Rihanna, Emily Ratajkowski, Cardi B, And More

Rihanna arrives on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland

Rihanna arrives on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland

Emily Ratajkowski arrives on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland

Cardi B arrives on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland

Lala arrives on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland

Lil’ Kim arrives on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland

Imaan Hammam arrives on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland

Rihanna on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland

Rihanna and her family on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland

DJ Cassidy arrives on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland

Maria Grazia Chiuri arrives on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland

Petra Nemcova arrives on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland

Farina Pao arrives on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland

Emily Ratajkowski arrives on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland

Sofia Resing arrives on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland

Cardi B arrives on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland

Martha Hunt arrives on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland

EJ Johnson arrives on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland

Guests arrive on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland

Gayle King arrives on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland

Future arrives on the red carpet at Rihanna’s Third Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Friday evening. Photo by Lexie Moreland for W Magazine.

Lexie Moreland
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