If there’s anyone who knows how to work the Met Gala red carpet in a major statement look, it’s Cardi B—and of course she delivered for the night’s “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” theme. The rapper arrived dressed in a more feminine take on Lagerfeld’s signature black suit for the annual fashion event in New York City. She stepped on the carpet in a black corset ball gown by Chenpeng Studio. The dress was adorned with giant roses on the skirt and worn over a white sleeveless collared top with a black tie. She wore a silver wig and a black headband, paying tribute to Lagerfeld’s own iconic locks.
While Cardi B has generally had a quieter year with no big press tours, she did have a big fashion moment at the Grammys in February when she wore a jaw-dropping blue cutout dress. She served as a presenter at the ceremony.
The music industry can be cutthroat, but Cardi told ELLE in its September 2020 that, generally, she doesn’t compare herself to other artists. Her belief in herself and her confidence carry her, from the Met Gala red carpet to the studio to stadiums around the world: “I bring something different,” she said. “I am me, and that’s how I’ve been since the club. I know when I get on the stage, I don’t give a fuck if the next bitch, or the bitch before me, was better than me. I know I’m going to get my coins. I know I’m bad because I’m different. I do different moves. I got a different bod. So, when these women are teasing everything, it’s expected. Don’t think that you’re going to have all the money in the strip club. Don’t think that every man is going to only give you the money. So don’t expect you to be the only one who’s going to hold number one on the Billboard [charts]. You’ve got to be confident in your own craft.”
Senior News and Strategy Editor
Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she’s not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.