Typically fashion forward Rihanna has just released the music video for her new single Rude Boy and stars in it as a dancehall queen. It's a colourful showcase of edgy body con outfits, graphic backdrops, animal print, steel drums and a stuffed Lion. And a Zebra.
Rihanna told MTV "A lot of my videos are really dark and edgy and tough. 'Rude Boy' is more playing along the lines from my roots. We used a lot of colour, but also the costumes were very Jamaican dance-hall-queen type".
Rihanna has made the fierce shoulder silhouette her trademark but I'm not sure how successful this outfit is. I like a bit of hard meets soft but this is taking it to the extreme!
Wearing a peaked black tailored jacket at a press conference in Seoul, she added a candyfloss-like profusion of pastel pink tulle and buckled black booties. Too much contrast methinks. How nice it would be to see her in all-over romantic ruffles, off-set with her out-there hair. Maybe now's the time to lose the show-off shoulders Rihanna?
Good to see Rihanna having a dress down day for a change, although she still looks ten times more glam than the average person you see in the arrivals hall. Giving her power shoulders a vacation, she was spotted arriving in Seoul to promote her new album.
Rihanna has swapped her elaborate stage outfits for a relaxed army surplus look, right down to the matching khaki jacket and cap combo. But like any good pop star, she couldn't resist that age-old celebrity prop - the dark glasses. We'd expect nothing less, Rihanna.
Hold the shoulder pads! Rihanna has a new video out and - shock horror! - there are no power-shoulder silhouettes to be seen. Instead, the West Indian singer has gone back to her roots, cultivating a 'Jamaican dancehall queen type' aesthetic.
The single Rude Boy is taken from Rihanna's fourth studio album, Rated R and the video is directed by Melina Matsoukas who also directed the video for Rihanna's last single Hard. 'A lot of my videos are really dark and edgy and tough. Rude Boy is more playing along the lines from my roots,' said Rihanna. But while the styling has taken a different turn, one thing definitely remains - the haute hair.
You can always rely on Rihanna to give a look her own spin. Spring's big trend is romantic ruffles but Rihanna's frills are far from saccharine. Hosting the Pepsi Refresh Project Kickoff Party as part of the Superbowl festivities, she made an entrance in an electric blue strapless dress trimmed with a sculptural frill (and eye-shadow to match).
Later, she reverted to eye-popping theatrical form in a one-legged black-and-white catsuit created by stylist team Mariel Haenn and Rob Zangardi to sing Russian Roulette and a medley of other hits.
Rihanna took a departure from the parade of fierce androgynous outfits we've seen lately, to present a more feminine vision at the Grammys. Showing her softer side, her gown received mixed reactions.
In a cream Ellie Saab creation with heavy drapes, a front split and an explosion of fussy feathers, it was all a bit over-wrought and complicated. I prefer you in simple and sculptural Rihanna! Still, her hair was suitably sculpted, giving the outfit some much needed edge.
What do you think? Do you like this romantic vision of Rihanna?
Superstar Rihanna has had a love affair with power-dressing lately, maybe she was in warrior mode following her romantic trials and traumas.
Whatever. There was no sign of aggression at the NRJ Music Awards in Cannes where she arrived looking classically elegant in a dramatic Jean-Paul Gaultier two-tiered gown.
A white lace backless sheath showcasing a sprinkling of tattoos was layered over a long, liquid-silver skirt. The result? Elegant yet edgy, thanks to her trademark undercut hairstyle. The singer performed 'Russian Roulette' for the crowds and although she tripped at the back of the stage, she emerged unhurt.
What is it with Rihanna and cropped tops in the middle of winter? Yes, we know she's got rock-solid abs and a super-toned stomach, but that's just a short cut to getting frost bite.
She was snapped filming a pre-recorded section for New Year's eve at the Rockerfeller Centre during a snowstorm, and exposed midriff aside, she certainly looks very festive.
If you're still trying to work out how to wear Lace without looking like an extra in Wuthering Heights, this cropped top and lace gloves combo may just be the way to do it, particularly if you fancy teaming yours with a spot of fake fur...add a jazzy headpiece et voila, your alternative festive fashion sorted.
Not sure what made Rihanna think these trousers were a good idea - she's sick of being in the news so she thought she'd wear it instead? Or maybe she was just working on the assumption that nothing could possibly make her bottom half look big so she chucked the on the first thing she could find.
Either way she was a bit wrong - newspaper print on clothes doesn't work in any circumstances, and certainly not worn with a cropped jumper and puffa jacket.
Oh Rihanna, you've had such a good run of it recently - what went wrong?
Rihanna is definitely off men post Chris Brown - admitting that she wouldn't rule out a relationship with a girl.
Rihannah also said she'd like to branch out into acting, and even managed to work out how to capitalise on any future lesbianism: "All humans are born with the ability to be attracted to both sexes. I mean, I could see myself in a relationship with a girl."
"I'd love to be an assassin. Either that or a lesbian. Maybe both! Hey, a gay assassin, there's nothing hotter than that.
"Megan Fox would play my girlfriend -- hands down. She's yummy. She's hot."
Argh, from Chris Brown to 'dumb as a bag of rocks' Megan Fox. Someone needs to work on Rihannah's taste in love interests....
