Rihanna Walks Her First Post-Baby Carpet in “Postpartum Forward” Alaïa at the 2025 CFDA Awards

Rihanna attends the 2025 CFDA Awards at The American Museum of Natural History on November 03, 2025 in New York City.

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Though she's only attended thrice in her lifetime, Rihanna's limited time on the CFDAs red carpet resulted in one of her most iconic outfits of all time. And tonight—after an 11-year-long hiatus—the mogul has made her long-awaited return.

On Monday, Nov. 3, Rihanna touched down in New York City, once more, to attend the Council of Fashion Designers of America's annual Fashion Awards. This time, however, she wasn't the honoree. Having already clasped the title a decade earlier, the singer was there to support her partner A$AP Rocky in accepting his own Fashion Icon Award.

Ever the supportive girlfriend, Rihanna turned out her red carpet best for the evening affair. Fashion's most influential power couple arrived wearing their own takes on the traditional power suit—matching, as always.

Though she was merely a plus-one at the glamorous event, Rihanna's Alaïa look was easily the best of the night. The Fenty Beauty founder sported a modernized version of the 1930s-era zoot suit, in a black trench coat with a leg cut-out, through which her voluminous pant leg protruded. The ivory bottoms billowed out of a pair of black glove pumps.

The man of the hour, meanwhile, wore a classic jacket and trousers. He layered the two-piece set over a V-neck sweater in butter yellow, finishing with a pair of cap toe saddle shoes. The vintage-inspired footwear embodied the era of Rihanna's prohibition-era look.

In a brief interview with Marie Claire, the pop star called her look: “Timeless! Chic! Postpartum-forward!”

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Though Rihanna's last appearance was in 2014, that lone moment changed fashion history books forever. It was then that Rihanna debuted her now-famous sheer gown, effectively catapulting naked dressing to immediate popularity. The "Diamonds" singer wore an Adam Selman mesh dress covered in them, styled with a matching skull cap and a Champagne-colored fur shrug.

That night, Rihanna accepted the Council of Fashion Designers of America's Fashion Icon Award. As the name implies, the honor is reserved only for fashion's most elite muses—other winners include Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, and Beyoncé.

Rihanna attends the "2014 CFDA Fashion Awards" red carpet arrivals at Alice Tully Hall in New York City on June 2, 2014. — Rihanna accepted her Icon Award in 2014, wearing an embellished see-through number.

The only other time the Fenty Beauty founder attended the CFDAs was nearly 10 years prior. She RSVPed "yes" in 2006, walking the red carpet in a midnight blue satin halter dress.

Rihanna during 2006 CFDA Awards - Departures at New York Public Library in New York City, New York, United States on June 5, 2006. — She only attended the event one other time, in 2006.

I think it's safe to say: History was made, once again.

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Kelsey (she/her) is a freelance fashion editor and writer. At Marie Claire, she provides witty celeb style commentary, unpacking the style choices of stars like Zoë Kravitz, Dua Lipa, Selena Gomez, and her fashion superhero, Rihanna. When she’s not tracking the personal style of Hollywood’s elite, Kelsey also covers designer collabs and industry news.

Before taking her talents to Marie Claire, Kelsey was the Senior Fashion Editor at Bustle, where she oversaw the site’s fashion coverage. Prior to Bustle, she came from a six-year stint at Seventeen. In her freelance era, Kelsey contributes to publications like InStyle, Cosmopolitan,and more. Follow @klstieg on Instagram for 'fit pics and travel recommendations.