She is often deemed the ‘Queen of the Met Gala.’
And Rihanna was fashionably late to fashion’s biggest night out on Monday with her rapper boyfriend A$AP Rocky by her side.
The 33-year-old songstress modeled a billowing Balenciaga coat dress as she climbed the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Fashionably late: Rihanna was fashionably late to the Met Gala on Monday night
Sweet: Rihanna was joined by her rapper boyfriend A$AP Rocky (right)
The custom garment, which was curated by Balenciaga’s Demna Gvasalia, had a dramatic collar that crept up behind the singer’s neck, as well a cinch at the calves creating a mermaid-style look.
Rihanna let her tightly curled tresses flow out from under a plain black beanie, which she layered over a mesh jeweled headband.
The Disturbia singer, who was paying homage to ‘all-American style’ with her monochromatic look, accessorized with a diamond statement necklace.
As for makeup, Rihanna oozed 1920s elegance with thin, rounded eyebrows and a bold berry lip.
Glamour girl: Rihanna oozed 1920s elegance with thin, rounded eyebrows and a bold berry lip
Billowing: The 33-year-old songstress looked uncharacteristically low key as she modeled a billowing black coat dress on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Details: The garment had a dramatic collar that crept up behind the singer’s neck, as well a cinch at the calves creating a mermaid-style look
Her hazel eyes were amplified with a soft, purple eyeshadow look and winged eyeliner.
According to Vogue, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were the final guests to arrive.
The 32-year-old rapper posed beside his pop star girlfriend in an oversized blue, red, and yellow checker print wrap ensemble which looked like a patchwork quilt.
Ditching his wrap, which was designed by ERL, the hitmaker unveiled his fashion-forward tuxedo.
Wrapped up: The 32-year-old rapper posed beside his pop star girlfriend in an oversized blue, red, and yellow checker print wrap
Last but not least: According to Vogue, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were the final guests to arrive
Unveiling: Ditching his wrap, which was designed by ERL, the hitmaker unveiled his fashion-forward tuxedo
As they dominated the red carpet together, A$AP Rocky planted a tender kiss on Rihanna’s cheek.
They also paraded around with their hands interlocked, often stopping to whisper in one another’s ear.
The pair have been romantically linked since late 2020, following seven years of friendship.
Before hitting the red carpet, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were spotted exiting their NYC hotel in their full Met Gala getups.
Accessorize: Rihanna let her tightly curled tresses flow out from under a plain black beanie, which she layered over a mesh jeweled headband
Sweet: They paraded around with their hands interlocked, often stopping to whisper in one another’s ear
Loved up: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky have been romantically linked since late 2020
The couple were escorted to a nearby vehicle by a hoard of bodyguards, many of which held umbrellas over the stars to protect them from any drizzle.
Fans could be seen with their phones in hand, desperately snapping pics of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky before they disappeared inside their car.
The Met Gala is finally back after being cancelled in 2020 amid the pandemic. This year it was pushed to September from its traditional slot on the first Sunday in May.
The theme is In America: A Lexicon of Fashion and the event features a heavy-hitting contingent of celebrity co-chairs: actor Timothée Chalamet, musician Billie Eilish, poet Amanda Gorman and tennis star Naomi Osaka.
Spotted: Before hitting the red carpet, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were spotted exiting their NYC hotel in their full Met Gala getups
Protected: The couple were escorted to a nearby vehicle by a hoard of bodyguards
Honorary chairs for the evening will be designer Tom Ford, sponsor Instagram’s Adam Mosseri, and Vogue’s Anna Wintour.
At just 19, Billie will make history as the youngest ever co-chair of the prestigious event.
When the hosts were first announced, Vogue magazine said: ‘Each of the Met’s four co-hosts embodies the defining factor of American style: individualism.
‘[They have each] developed a distinct visual language for their public personas, one that is informed by the legacy of iconic fashion made in the USA.’
Fanfare: Fans could be seen with their phones in hand, desperately snapping pics of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky before they disappeared inside their car
At the ready: Many of the couple’s bodyguards held umbrellas over their heads to protect them from any drizzle
The must-have accessory for all at this year’s gala is a Covid-19 vaccine.
‘Currently, all attendees at The Met Gala on September 13 must provide proof of full vaccination and will also be expected to wear masks indoors except when eating or drinking,’ a spokesperson for The Met said last month.
This year’s gala will be a more intimate affair, to be followed by a larger one on May 2, 2022. Both will launch a two-part exhibition, a survey of American fashion to be on view for almost a year.
In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, opening Sept. 18, will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the museum´s Costume Institute and ‘explore a modern vocabulary of American fashion,’ the spokesperson added.
Part two, In America: An Anthology of Fashion, will open in the museum’s popular American Wing period rooms on May 5, 2022, and will explore American fashion, with collaborations with film directors, by ‘presenting narratives that relate to the complex and layered histories of those spaces.’ Both parts will close on Sept. 5, 2022.
RIHANNA’S MET GALA LOOKS OVER THE YEARS
Rihanna is one of the most anticipated attendees at the annual Met Gala in New York City due to her often fearless sense of style and inimitable swagger.
And with seven appearances under her belt, here is a look back at the memorable looks the 33-year-old hitmaker’s has donned through the years.
2007
For her very first Met Gala, which came just one year after the release of her hit single SOS, Rihanna graced the star-studded event in a floor-length gown designed by Georges Chakra.
The year’s theme was Poiret: King of Fashion, which served as an ode to designer Paul Poiret.
2007: For her very first Met Gala, Rihanna graced the star-studded event in a floor-length gown designed by Georges Chakra
2009
For her second appearance, the Disturbia songstress wowed in an out of this world tuxedo by Dolce & Gabbana.
The 2009 Met Gala The Model As Muse served as a celebration of ‘the reciprocal relationship between high fashion and evolving ideals of beauty.’
Rihanna’s attendance held particular weight, being that just three-months prior she was the victim of a merciless assault at the hands of her then-boyfriend Chris Brown.
2009: For her second appearance, the Disturbia songstress wowed in an out of this world tuxedo by Dolce & Gabbana
2011
Rocking a head of ruby red tresses, Rihanna put her killer figure on display in a jeweled lace gown by designer Stella McCartney.
The singer’s strands were neatly styled into a lengthy braid she kept swept to one side for fashion’s biggest night out.
The year served as an homage to the late designer Alexander McQueen, titled Savage Beauty, who passed away in 2010.
2011: Rocking a head of ruby red tresses, Rihanna put her killer figure on display in a jeweled lace gown by designer Stella McCartney
2012
Rihanna climbed the museum’s iconic staircase in a textured curve-clinging gown designed by Tom Ford.
She had since returned to her signature raven-toned hair, which she wore in a unique updo consisting of three asymmetrical buns.
The night, titled Schiaparelli And Prada: Impossible Conversations, celebrated the ‘the striking affinities between these two iconic Italian designers from different eras.’
2012: Rihanna climbed the museum’s iconic staircase in a textured curve-clinging gown designed by Tom Ford
2014
At the event honoring designer Charles James, the Umbrella songstress flashed her midriff in a cropped top with a jeweled collar and matching floor-length skirt by Stella McCartney.
It marked her second time rocking the 50-year-old English designer’s work to the Met Gala.
2014: At the event honoring designer Charles James, the Umbrella songstress flashed her midriff in a cropped top with a jeweled collar and matching floor-length skirt by Stella McCartney
2015
In what is undoubtedly her most iconic Met Gala moment, Rihanna proved to be the belle of the ball in a luxurious gown by Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei.
The gorgeous number was made of silk fabric and lined with bright yellow fur, which matched the Grammy Award-winner’s muff.
The year’s theme was China: Through the Looking Glass, which is an exhibit that explored impact of Chinese aesthetic on Western fashion.
2015: In what is undoubtedly her most iconic Met Gala moment, Rihanna proved to be the belle of the ball in a luxurious gown by Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei
2017
Rihanna explored her avant-garde side in a dimensional dress by beloved Japanese fashion label Comme des Garçons, who was being honored at that year’s Gala.
The Diamonds vocalist hid her curves beneath a flurry of floral cut-outs that made up the majority of the angular mini dress.
Her hair was styled in a quirky top knot and her cheeks were adorned with an ample amount of vibrant pink blusher.
2017: Rihanna explored her avant-garde side in a dimensional dress by beloved Japanese fashion label Comme des Garçons, who was being honored at that year’s Gala
2018
Last but not least, Rihanna nailed the Met Gala’s Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination theme by donning a pope-inspired ensemble.
Designed by Maison Margiela, the outfit consisted of a jeweled three-tier crown and a matching robe layered over a bedazzled thigh-length dress.
2018: Last but not least, Rihanna nailed the Met Gala’s Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination theme by donning a pope-inspired ensemble
