Rihanna is as close to a real-life Disney princess as it gets: One moment she’s channeling Belle in outsize Guo Pei at the Met Gala, the next she’s got an icy Elsa vibe in nothing but crystals and a smile. Though the pop star’s imaginative looks come direct from the runways, the correlation between her most glamorous pieces and the animated finery favored by Disney’s royals is surprisingly consistent. Sure, Rihanna might not favor glass slippers, but her jewel-encrusted Manolo #SoStoned collection is worthy of Cinderella. Likewise, the Giambattista Valli couture pieces she’s been sporting during her Valerian press tour seem as though they were conjured by magic.
It’s that sense of fantasy that connects Rihanna’s outfits to Disney’s heroines. And while she doesn’t interpret any of the tales literally—you don’t need puffy sleeves and a tiara to pull off Snow White’s sweetness—her version of regal dressing sparks conversation and countless imitators. A look back at all the times she inadvertently channeled Jasmine, Sleeping Beauty, and even Merida, Brave’s warrior princess, shows why Rihanna’s reign just won’t let up.
Rihanna on Her Game-Changing Met Gala Red Carpet Look