by Mary J. Blige is widely considered the “Queen of Hip Hop Soul” for her groundbreaking work blending R&B and hip hop music styles.
Over the course of her decades-long career, Blige has won nine Grammys and sold over 80 million records worldwide. But beyond her immense musical talents, Blige is also renowned as a fashion icon who has consistently pushed boundaries and served up unforgettable looks. From daring red carpet dresses to statement-making performance costumes, Blige has cemented her status as a queen not just of music but of style as well. Here’s a deeper look at some of Mary J. Blige’s most iconic fashion moments throughout her illustrious career.
1995 MTV Video Music Awards Union Jack Dress
One of Blige’s earliest major fashion statements came at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards. There, she walked the red carpet in a sheer black dress adorned with a Union Jack print design. The dress, designed by Union Jack designer Marc Bouwer, left little to the imagination with its plunging neckline and see-through fabric. However, Blige owned the daring look with her signature confidence and attitude. The dress turned heads and marked a bold new direction in Blige’s fashion evolution from her earlier baggy jeans and oversized t-shirts. Wearing such a risqué dress to one of music’s biggest award shows helped cement Blige as a fashion risk-taker willing to push boundaries. It was also a sign that she was ready to shed her previous “gangsta boo” image in favor of a more glamorous aesthetic befitting her rising superstar status.
2001 Grammy Awards Fur Wrap
Blige continued displaying her fashion prowess at the 2001 Grammy Awards. On the red carpet, she stunned in a floor-length white fur wrap with a simple white gown. The luxurious fur piece, likely mink or another expensive fur, was a symbol of Blige’s success and rising status in the music industry. Paired with the understated white dress, the fur wrap exuded opulence and elegance. It showed how Blige was embracing glamour and luxury in her fashion choices as she cemented her place among music’s elite artists. The fur wrap also hinted at the lavish, expensive tastes that would come to define much of Blige’s red carpet style in the ensuing years.
2002 American Music Awards Butterfly Dress
At the 2002 American Music Awards, Blige took fashion risks to new heights with a showstopping butterfly-embroidered gown by Dolce & Gabbana. The delicate chiffon fabric was embellished with intricate embroidery and beading forming butterfly motifs across the dress. It was a dramatic departure from Blige’s usual sexy mini dresses or bodycon looks. With its ethereal embellishments and flowing skirt, the butterfly dress showed Blige’s willingness to experiment with new silhouettes and textures. It proved she was not content to stick to one signature style and was constantly evolving her aesthetic. The dress was also a symbol of Blige’s own metamorphosis – from gritty hip hop soul singer to global superstar embraced by high fashion. Her flawless styling and confidence is what allowed her to pull off such a delicate, intricate gown and truly own the butterfly motif.
2018 Super Bowl Halftime Show Performance Outfit
When Blige took the stage alongside other R&B legends for the 2018 Super Bowl halftime show, she did so in another showstopping ensemble. Blige performed in a custom crystal-embroidered bodysuit designed by Versace. The bodysuit was a shimmering mosaic of Swarovski crystals in shades of blue, that caught and reflected the stage lights. It highlighted Blige’s curves and showed off her toned physique. The outfit choice was a statement that Blige, even in her mid-40s at the time, had lost none of her sex appeal or willingness to push boundaries. It also demonstrated how she had become a mainstay of high-profile televised performances through her immense talent and star power. Her bodysuit proved she deserved a spot alongside the greatest acts in music and that she could hold her own on the biggest stage of them all.
2023 Met Gala Gilded Glamour Gown
This past May, Blige once again wowed on the red carpet of fashion’s biggest night – the Met Gala. For the “Gilded Glamour” theme, Blige donned a crystal-embellished gown by Canadian designer Dundas. The strapless gown was covered from neck to floor in glittering Swarovski crystals forming an intricate pattern. With its structured silhouette accentuating Blige’s curves and dazzling embellishments, the gown was the perfect embodiment of the evening’s gilded opulence. Blige looked every inch the regal queen in the show-stopping number. Her styling was equally lavish with diamond drop earrings, sparkling rings, and an elegant updo. The gown proved Blige remains at the top of her fashion game, continually delivering standout red carpet moments befitting her status as both a music and style icon.
Beyond these landmark fashion moments, Blige has also collaborated on numerous fashion lines that showcase her signature sexy yet glamorous aesthetic. In 2008, she launched her first clothing line called “My Life” in partnership with M.A.C. Cosmetics. The line featured body-hugging dresses, jumpsuits and separates infused with Blige’s R&B edge. In 2022, Blige launched another fashion collaboration with retailer Anthropic called “Dare by MJB.” The collection included curve-hugging dresses, corset tops, blazers and more imbued with Blige’s signature blend of elegance and sex appeal.
Through her willingness to take risks, experiment with new silhouettes, and embrace high fashion designers, Mary J. Blige has cemented her status as not just a queen of music but of style as well. Her unforgettable red carpet moments and statement-making performance looks show how she has continuously pushed boundaries and redefined what it means to be a fashion icon. Even after decades in the spotlight, Blige remains as daring and influential as ever in the fashion world. She proves that with confidence and attitude, any woman of any age can own the boldest of looks. Blige’s legendary style evolution serves as inspiration that you’re never too old to take fashion risks and continually reinvent your aesthetic. That is why Mary J. Blige truly deserves her crown – she is the undeniable Queen of both R&B and fashion.
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