January 9, 2018

It’s Time to Give Cardi B the Fashion Credit She Deserves

By Leah Rodriguez @leahrod

If there’s one brand that Cardi B fans associate with her, it’s probably Fashion Nova. The Instagram-famous retailer also adored by Kylie Jenner, allegedly pays Cardi B $20,000 a month to promote its clothes, but that doesn’t stop the star from making her own fashion choices, like wearing Christian Siriano. She’s worn dramatic looks from the designer including a black velvet jumpsuit straight out of The Matrix, and a Tiffany-blue princess ball gown. Cardi B’s spoken openly about designers refusing to dress her in the past, and now it’s about time the first female rapper to top the Billboard 100 chart since 1998 has her pick of ready-to-wear clothes from Moschino to Givenchy.

As the saying goes, money can’t buy style. Cardi B’s over-the-top look predates her rise to fame. She’s currently working with the stylist Kollin Carter, who dresses her in playful outfits — Muppet-esque cartoon coats reminiscent of hip-hop queens who paved the way before her and tops that channel classic Hollywood glamour. The rapper will also slip into a serious suit for the right occasion — as long it’s fire red, that is, or if it comes with a cape. A loyal front-row guest at The Blonds’s show season after season, Cardi B officially won over New York Fashion Week last September, performing at Alexander Wang’s highly anticipated after-party.

The musician never fails to make a bold statement, partying in bubblegum-pink latex like a ’90s pop star or performing onstage in “girl power” printed bodysuits. See every wig, sequined dress, and sparkly thigh-high boot she’s worn, from her days on VH1’s Love and Hip Hop to now, in our slideshow below.