Rihanna's 2014 CFDA Awards Gown Changed Her Style

Rihanna has come a long way from her "Pon de Replay" days. The music industry’s pop princess told us back in 2009 that she was “so hard,” but it wasn’t until Rihanna’s 2014 CFDA awards Adam Selman gown that we saw the performer’s style take a turn for the better. 2014 may be considered the year of Taylor Swift, but in terms of rebellious style, I’d hand that title over to Rihanna in a heartbeat.

There’s a way to successfully pull off the classic shock-factor. Celebs want to surprise their audience just enough that they are mesmerized by them, inspired even. Miley Cyrus, for example, sometimes fails at these attempts re: Blurred Lines VMA performance circa 2013. Rihanna, however, has continuously rebelled against fashion industry standards from last years CFDA awards up until now, and I can only speak for myself when I say that she has yet to disappoint or horrify me in any way.

Rihanna has mastered the art of the surprise. Just a few weeks ago I predicted what she would wear to the 2015 MET Gala based on previous years. I figured she'd pull together something tight with minimal jewelry and her hair pulled back in some fancy way or another. Never have I ever been more satisfied upon being proven wrong.

Whether she’s sporting dreads and hoops for I-D magazine, platinum blonde hair and a skimpy bikini for V, or gracing the red carpet with her presence clad in a golden robe, our first reaction may be to cock our heads to the side and ask why, but each time we’ll nod, impressed, because it’s Rihanna and Rihanna has yet to disappoint. I mean, hello, she even rubbed off on Dior. Now that's an accomplishment in itself.

Check out my top 13 Rihanna style moments that prove her 2014 CFDA awards gown was just the beginning of a Rihanna fashion rebellion.

1. Elle December 2014

Because who needs a shirt when you have a long flower-embroidered jacked or polka dotted veil?

2. Esquire UK December 2014

She makes me want a puffy sleeved bathing suit top.

3. British Fashion Awards 2014

No, I don't need pants or a shirt. I'm Rihanna.

4. Rihanna for Puma

Pearls, sweats, and a bold lip. I can dig it.

5. Camouflage and Pearls

Street style meets chic style.

6. All Denim Everything

Denim pants, hair down, chillin' with her makeup smeared. And yet, it works.

7. i-D Magazine Music Issue Pre-Spring 2015

Now there's that so-hard Rihanna she's been singing about.

8. 2015 Grammys

She looks like a pink cupcake. Every five-year-old's dream.

9. Harper's Bazaar China April 2015

Clearly, geisha's have nothing on Rihanna.

10. R8 Album March 2015

I'll forgive the intense eyebrows only because she's wearing a leather jacket with chandelier earrings.

11. V Magazine Summer 2015

Neon bottoms to match her neon eyelids. Can you say retro glam?

12. MET Gala 2015

Whether you compared her Gala gown to scrambled eggs or pizza, edible or not, Rihanna looked good.

13. Dior May 2015

When I think Dior, I think classy yet conservative. Rihanna is changing all of that. I don't hate it.