Fashion’s Hall of Fame: Rihanna’s 2014 CFDA Fashion Icon Moment

By Alexus Mosley

In 2014, the Council of Fashion Designers of America crowned Rihanna a Fashion Icon. It was at that event that Rihanna didn’t just accept the award… she redefined it.

Wearing a custom, sheer, Swarovski-encrusted gown by Adam Selman, Rihanna shimmered under the flashbulbs in more than 230,000 crystals. The look was finished with a matching headscarf, gloves, and a pink fur stole — a nod to old Hollywood glamour and the formidable Black Fashion Icon, Josephine Baker.

When asked what gave her the confidence to wear something so daring, Rihanna famously said: “She can beat me, but she cannot beat my outfit.”

The look wasn’t just about shock value; it was a power statement. In a time when red carpets were still dominated by safe silhouettes and classic gowns, Rihanna’s choice celebrated freedom, femininity, and fearlessness. She embodied what it means to own your narrative through fashion.

Designers, stylists, and pop culture lovers still reference this moment a decade later. It wasn’t just a dress; it was an era-defining statement that fused celebrity, artistry, and unapologetic self-expression.