Rapper, actress, and all-around cultural phenomenon Cardi B has had an incredible career trajectory. For Bronx natives and the Latinx community in particular, watching her rise from Vine comedian to Love & Hip-Hop star to Grammy-winning rapper inspires a groundswell of pride. Her music is uplifting, indulgent, and speaks to the truth of women’s sexuality in a way that is honest and celebratory.
Her style reflects her music powerfully. Cardi B loves bright colors and statement looks, taking up the female hip-hop tradition of experimenting with fashion in artistic, eye-catching magnificence — and nipple pasties. Infusing sexuality in her looks, she glorifies her curves with cut-outs, plunging necklines, and crop tops that demand our attention. But in the years since she’s become a global superstar, Cardi has also become a muse to many fashion designers, including Thom Browne who outfitted her in a grey suit with unconventional padding, or her iconic green printed Marc Jacobs dress and boa in full-on Hollywood Regency glamour.
While her style has become more splashy as her fame grew, she’s also stuck to a few constants. Cardi loves vintage shapes and silhouettes; she’s played with midi dresses, sleek mod bob hair styles, and giant fully gowns, in a nod to the Latinx quinceñera tradition. At her first Grammys appearance in 2018, after “Bodak Yellow” took over the world, she was a princess vision in a cool white Armani gown with layers of tulle. In 2019, at the next Grammy Awards, she won that coveted golden phonograph in an archival white Mugler gown with fringed gloves that reached down to the ground. As Cardi continues to shatter barriers for rappers and Latinx women, here’s a look back at her style as she star power began shining.
2021: Paris Fashion Week Street Style
Cardi B steps out in Paris on September 30th, 2021 in a fully studded and spiked outfit from Richard Quinn, seen just weeks ago on the London catwalks.
2021: Paris Street Style
Cardi B’s second Schiaparelli look in Paris on September 29th, 2021 was a bit more sensible. She wore a black coat over a bodysuit with a beret. Though, pay attention to her statement earrings.
2021: Paris Shopping Trip
Wearing a surrealist look from the house of Schiappereli complete with a golden liquid metal headpiece and breast coverings, Cardi B steps out for a simple day of shopping with husband Offset on September 29th, 2021.
2021: “Thierry Mugler : Couturissime” Museum Exhibit Opening
Cardi B wasn’t just there to support legendary designer Thierry Mugler at the opening of his “Thierry Mugler: Couturissime” exhibit in Paris, she wore an elaborate red, feathered fantasy gown straight from his ‘90s archives. Supermodel Eva Herzigova originally wore it on the runway.
2021: Mugler Party
For the exhibit’s after-party, Cardi B turned up in yet another vintage Mugler masterpiece on September 28th, 2021. This one is a black, leather gown inspired by the exoskeleton of an insect.
2021: Street Style
Offset and Cardi B are seen leaving a shop on January 22, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
2020: Grammy Party
US rapper Cardi B arrives for the Recording Academy and Clive Davis pre-Grammy gala at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 25, 2020.
2019: Street Style
Cardi B is seen in a two-tone suit on October 10, 2019 in New York City.
2019: Paris Fashion Week
Cardi B ravishes in purple on September 30, 2019 in Paris, France.
2019: Paris Fashion Week
American rapper Cardi B is seen wearing grey skirt, blazer, black bag, heels, sunglasses outside Thom Browne during Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring Summer 2020 on September 29, 2019 in Paris, France.
2019: Diamond Ball
Cardi B attends Rihanna’s 5th Annual Diamond Ball Benefitting The Clara Lionel Foundation at Cipriani Wall Street on September 12, 2019 in New York City.
2019: VMAs
Cardi B presents an award onstage during the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on August 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey.
2019: Hustlers Photocall
Cardi B wears vintage Jean Paul Gaultier at the Photo Call For STX Entertainment’s “Hustlers” at Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on August 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
2019: BET Awards
Cardi B accepts Album of the Year onstage at the 2019 BET Awards on June 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
2019: Met Gala
Cardi B wears Thom Browne The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2019 in New York City.
2019: Billboard Music Awards
Cardi B poses with the awards for Top Rap Song ‘I Like It,’ Top Hot 100 Song for ‘Girls Like You,’ and Top Rap Female Artist in the press room during the 2019 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 01, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
2019: Grammys
Cardi B, winner of Best Rap Album for ‘Invasion of Privacy,’ and Offset pose backstage during the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
2019: Grammys
Cardi B wears vintage Mugler at the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
2018: Fashion Nova Event
Cardi B attends the Fashion Nova x Cardi B collaboration launch event at Boulevard3 on November 14, 2018 in Hollywood, California.
2018: AMAs
Cardi B attends the 2018 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on October 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
2018: AMAs
Cardi B attends the 2018 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on October 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
2018: ICONS Ball
Cardi B attends as Harper’s BAZAAR Celebrates “ICONS By Carine Roitfeld” at the Plaza Hotel on September 7, 2018 in New York City.
2018: VMAs
Cardi B attends the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on August 20, 2018 in New York City.
2018: Birthday Bash
Cardi B attends Birthday Bash 2018 at Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood on June 16, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia.
2018: Met Gala
Cardi B attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City.
2018: Marc Jacobs Show
Cardi B attends the Marc Jacobs Fall 2018 Show at Park Avenue Armory on February 14, 2018 in New York City.
2018: Grammys
Recording artist Cardi B attends the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2018 in New York City.
2018: Pre-Grammys Party
Cardi B arrives at the Clive Davis and Recording Academy Pre-GRAMMY Gala on January 27, 2018 in New York City.
2018: Calibash
Cardi B performs onstage during Calibash Los Angeles 2018 at Staples Center on January 20, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
2017: Art Basel Miami Beach
Cardi B wears a Moschino coat at Eden Roc Hotel on December 7, 2017 in Miami Beach, Florida.
2017: Diamond Ball
Cardi B attends Rihanna’s 3rd Annual Diamond Ball Benefitting The Clara Lionel Foundation at Cipriani Wall Street on September 14, 2017 in New York City.
2017: Nylon Party
Cardi B attends NYLON’s Rebel Fashion Party, powered by Land Rover, at Gramercy Terrace at Gramercy Park Hotel on September 12, 2017 in New York City.
2017: Fenty Puma Show
Rapper Cardi B attends the Fenty Puma by Rihanna show during New York Fashion Week at the 69th Regiment Armory on September 10, 2017 in New York City.
2017: VMAs
Cardi B attends the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 27, 2017 in Inglewood, California.
2017: BET Awards
Cardi B at the 2017 BET Awards at Microsoft Square on June 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.
2017: BETX Live!
Cardi B poses during night three of BETX Live!, sponsored by Coca-Cola, during the 2017 BET Experience at LA Live on June 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.
2017: Brooklyn Nets Event
Cardi B attends the Tanduay Rum partnership with Barclays Center and the Brooklyn Nets celebration on March 12, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Tanduay Rum)
2017: Phillipp Plein Show
Musical artist Cardi B attends the Philipp Plein Fall/Winter 2017/2018 Women’s And Men’s Fashion Show at The New York Public Library on February 13, 2017 in New York City.
2017: Gypsy Sport Show
Cardi B is seen attending Gypsy Sport during New York Fashion Week wearing a white fur coat with Gypsy Sport dress on February 12, 2017 in New York City.
2017: Being Mary Jane Premiere
Actress Cardi B attends the Being Mary Jane premiere, screening, and party on January 9, 2017 in New York City.
2017: ANTM Premire
Cardi B wears Gucci at VH1’s “America’s Next Top Model” premiere at Vandal on December 8, 2016 in New York City
2016: BET Hip Hop Awards
Cardi B attends the BET Hip Hop Awards 2016 Green Carpet at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center on September 17, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia.
2016: Laquan Smith Show
Cardi B attends Laquan Smith Presentation September 2016 during New York Fashion Week on September 14, 2016 in New York City.
2016: Blitz To Hits 6th Anniversary Celebration
Cardi B attends From Blitz To Hits 6th Anniversary Celebration at Stage 48 on August 16, 2016 in New York City.
2016: VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens
Cardi B attends the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City.
2016: Music Choice Studioes
Rapper Cardi B visits Music Choice on April 26, 2016 in New York City.
2016: The Blonds Show
Cardi B attends The Blonds show during Spring 2016 MADE Fashion Week at Milk Studios on September 16, 2015 in New York City.
Source: W Magazine
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