Getty Images, courtesy of Vogue.
This year’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award was presented to Rihanna at the 2016 MTV VMAs last night. The prestigious lifetime achievement award honored the singer’s artistry, and served as a major milestone for the 28-year-old. Rihanna is the second youngest recipient to take home the ceremony’s highest honor after Janet Jackson.
Rihanna took to the stage four times throughout the night to perform medleys featuring her chart-topping singles. The style chameleon opened the show to her dance hits Don’t Stop The Music, We Found Love, and Where Have You Been in a Hood By Air T-shirt and matching chaps complete with a lace-up corset. She topped off her pastel pink look with rose-tinted sunglasses and fur sneakers in the same hue.
For her second act, Rihanna went back to her Barbadian roots with a dancehall-themed party to perform Rude Boy, What’s My Name, and Work. She brought street flavor to the stage in a fur trimmed bra and black cargo pants layered over fishnet stockings. The singer tied her look together with a T-shirt worn as a makeshift hoodie, and finished her look with a do-rag.
Rihanna sang Pour It Up and Needed Me in an edgy ensemble during her second run. She stepped out in a black leotard with a purple fur stole thrown over her shoulder for added attitude. The songstress elevated her look with waist-high boots from Vetements in collaboration with Manolo Blahnik.
For her final performance, against a white backdrop and full orchestra, Rihanna belted out her ballads Diamonds, Stay, and Love On The Brain in a taupe, voluminous couture gown by Alexandre Vauthier. The striking silhouette complemented the golden Moonman she received moments later.
