Cardi B never misses a beat with her fashion.
But cementing herself as a style icon hasn’t been a glamorous journey. In fact, she and her longtime stylist Kollin Carter have had to pull a few tricks up their sleeves.
“There are so many obstacles against us,” she admitted to The Hollywood Reporter for its Power Stylists issue, which was published online March 27. “For example, this body is not meant for a size 2. I’m very hips, ass and that’s me.”
She continued, “It was not easy, but we make it look easy. Our door was closed many times but we’re here because we do it well. I’m not going to be humble about it.”
The 2019 Met Gala changed everything for them, according to Kollin. At the time, Cardi wowed in a larger-than-life Thom Browne dress that featured an explosion of feathers and voluminous bottom half.
“That look broke Cardi B into the next level of the fashion world,” he told the magazine. “People who didn’t take us seriously were like, ‘OK, they’re here to stay.’”
If anything, the duo’s passion for fashion fuels their creativity.
“We’ve given look after look, year after year,” Kollin noted, “we’ve reached into archives that are impossible to reach into. We caused a cultural shift. I don’t think there were many women like Cardi who existed in the fashion space. Now there are a ton of other rap females who aspire to be in that space because they see what’s possible.”
As he put it, “We set trends.”
And it’s only a matter of time before the “WAP” rapper steps onto the red carpet in a head-turning look. But until then, relive her most boundary-pushing fashion moments.
Jewel in the Crown
The Bronx-born artist shuts down the 2019 Grammys red carpet with this over-the-top Thierry Mugler gown from its 1995 archive.
Slayed in Schiaparelli
The WAP rapper is très chic in black dress, matching veil and gold mask at the 2021 American Music Awards,
Stunting & Shining
The rapper looks like a golden goddess in an Atelier Versace chained gown during the 2022 MET Gala.
Fierce in Feathers
The rapper attends the Thierry Mugler Couturissime Photocall in a ruby colored sequin gown and feathers.
Green Goddess
The rapper goes green in a Richard Quinn catsuit with matching ruffled headpiece.
Captivating Cardi
The steals the spotlight in a black-and-white floral-adorned gown by Chen Peng Studio at the 2023 Met Gala.
Lady in Red
The fashion icon rules the red carpet in a crimson-colored gown at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party.
Shining Bright
Cardi shines bright at the Fendi Haute Couture fall/winter 2023/2024 show during Paris Fashion Week.
Fierce Fuchsia
Never shy from a good one-piece, Cardi B rocks a glittery fuchsia pink catsuit during day 2 of the Wireless Festival.
Beretta/Sims/Shutterstock
Biker Babe
Cardi B rocks a biker inspired leather outfit with spike details during Paris Fashion Week.
Peter White/Getty Images
In the News
She looks chic in a magazine pattern trench coat with an interesting black hat with matching gloves and shoes.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Grammy Ready
Celebrity hairstylist Tokyo Stylez used Joico color, styling and care products on the rapper before her 2021 Grammys performance.
Beretta/Sims/Shutterstock
Flower Power
She slays Paris Fashion Week and she knows it. “I heard you bitches were missing me at Fashion Week New York,” she writes on Instagram, while showing off her vibrant green floral ensemble. “I’n here to serve it to you mother-f–kers, and serve it to you cold.”
Pierre Suu/Getty Images
Suited Up
Attending the Thom Browne show in Paris Fashion Week, the “Press” singer puts on her finest fashion. “THE TEACHER,” she shares on the ‘gram.
Joseph Okpako/WireImage
Dipping Dots
The rapper sparkles in black dotted jumpsuit while on the main stage during Wireless Festival at Finsbury Park in England.
Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
Perfectly Pink
Go big or go home! As you can see, Cardi goes all out for Rihanna‘s annual Diamond Ball gala wearing an over-the-top baby pink gown.
Bandana Bardi
Who says bandanas are only meant to be an accessory? The “I Like It” rapper thinks outside the box with this fiery ensemble by Bryan Hearns. Even more stylish? If you look closely, you’ll notice it’s adorned with crystals.
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
Feather Fantasy
Cardi makes a showstopping entrance at Schiaparelli’s Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture show.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella
White Hot, Hot, Hot
Giving Coachella fans a bondage-style moment, Cardi brings the heat to Indio, Calif. with this custom, white-hot outfit by Bryan Hearns.
Instagram
Cowgirl Couture
Can we get a “yeehaw?” The “Money” rapper goes country glam for the 2019 Rodeo Houston in this custom Bryan Hearns outfit.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Fierce and Fabulous
Not surprisingly, Belcalis Almanzar drops jaws during her 2019 Grammys performance. She rocks a 1995 archive Thierry Mugler bodysuit, which comes with larger-than-life feathers. Okurr!
Thaddaeus McAdams/WireImage
Stop the Presses
Never one to shy away from bold prints and patterns, the 26-year-old star wears this audacious Moschino dress. It’s safe to say all eyes are on her during the fashion powerhouse’s dinner.
Maury Phillips/Getty Images for BET
Money Bag
The Bronx-born rapper makes everyone green with envy in her custom emerald two-piece by Vex Clothing, Dare to Be Vintage robe and Balenciaga boots. If anything, she most certainly is giving us “trap Selena” vibes.
Daniele Venturelli/Daniele Venturelli/WireImage
The Cat’s Meow
The Hustlers actress turns heads during Milan Fashion Week with her wild (literally) Dolce & Gabbana ensemble. From her cheetah-print sunnies to the tiger-striped coat, this was a lewk, hunny.
Instagram
Oh My Feathers!
Yes, those are feathers, dahling. The 26-year-old star looks gussied up in this lavish Christian Cowan suit.
Prince Williams/WireImage
Iconique
Cardi B shuts down the house while performing at Streetz Fest 2K17. Her vibrant graffiti-printed bodysuit is just as bright and bold as the rapper herself.
Instagram
Canadian Tuxedo
Denim on denim! The 25-year-old star makes a jean-ius fashion statement with her Dolce & Gabbana denim jacket and pants. Her bra is by Namalia.
Andrew Lipovsky/NBC
She Bad
Cardi B channels Linda Evangelista with this flashy ensemble that’s almost identical to what the supermodel wore in the ’90s. She dazzles the stage with a bodysuit by Vex Clothing, custom accessories from Laurel Dewitt and vintage boots from Chanel.
