Leave it to Rihanna to turn a surprise appearance into the fashion moment of the night. Just when the red carpet at the 2025 CFDA Awards seemed to be winding down, the self-proclaimed Bad Gal appeared—because, as we all know, the show doesn’t really end until Rihanna says so.
The singer, mogul, and new mom (to her and A$AP Rocky’s third child, Rocki Irish Mayers) arrived at New York’s Museum of Natural History in an asymmetric Alaïa look that made a solid case for rethinking suiting altogether. It wasn’t just a trench—it was a masterclass in tailoring with a twist. Cinched at the waist and cut open at one side, the coat gave off both structure and sensuality. But the real conversation piece? The pants.
Forget wide-leg or flared silhouettes; Rihanna wore what can only be described as “stirrup-chic”—pleated, ankle-tucked trousers that slipped right into her heels, giving the illusion of a single, uninterrupted line. It was clean, sculptural, and subtly futuristic. In an interview with Vogue, she called the look “timeless, chic, effortless—and very postpartum forward.” Translation: comfortable, confident, and unmistakably Rihanna.
By her side, A$AP Rocky delivered his own version of relaxed elegance in navy Chanel tailoring, styled with a butter-yellow knit, rolled sleeves, and two-tone boots—a vibe that said “fashion icon, but make it dad-core.” Which, coincidentally, was the title he earned that night, officially receiving the CFDA’s Fashion Icon Award.
The moment carried a poetic symmetry. Eleven years ago, Rihanna herself stood on the same stage, accepting the very same honor in that now-legendary Swarovski crystal Adam Selman dress—a look that singlehandedly redefined red carpet sensuality. Last night, she was there to witness Rocky take the torch. “You won this so long ago,” he said in his speech, smiling at her from the podium. “I told you, ‘You inspired me—I’ma win that shit one day.’ And look, we did it, baby.”
Minimal effort. Maximum impact. Only Rihanna could make pants this powerful.
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