Nicki Minaj is back at the Met Gala tonight, bringing her signature flair to fashion’s biggest night. The rapper, known for making bold statements on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, arrived solo on the red carpet in a custom look by Thom Browne.
Styled by Law Roach, the ensemble featured a deconstructed pinstripe top and matching skirt to align with the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme. For an extra twist on the suited look, her off-the-shoulder neckline revealed a bright white bra underneath and a handful of fabric flowers cascaded from her right shoulder.
Roach revealed on his Instagram Story that Minaj’s look was inspired by the quaintrelle. He told ELLE.com that “there’s a female counterpart to the dandy—the quaintrelle—I think of someone like Cardi B, Mae West, and Jayne Mansfield, and those women with those bodies. Everything’s perfectly tailored. The waist is perfectly tiny.”
Minaj’s outfit seems to capture that aesthetic perfectly.
The rapper has become a regular presence at the annual event. In 2024, she interpreted the “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” theme with a sculptural yellow Marni minidress covered in vibrant 3D floral appliqués.
Other past highlights include her 2022 look: a custom Burberry ensemble featuring a strapless feathered gown, black leggings, and a baseball cap—a nod to American streetwear during the “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” theme.
In October, she spoke at Vogue’s Forces of Fashion conference, reflecting on motherhood, her evolving personal style, and what her fans, a.k.a the Barbz, mean to her. “At the time, there were no rappers naming their fans. Justin Bieber had the Beliebers, and Lady Gaga had the Little Monsters,” she began. “Now, every single artist gives their fans a name. But it doesn’t matter, because the Barbz are still superior. They are different because what they do, they do it with passion and love.”
Minaj’s evolving style has long been part of her appeal. From Oscar de la Renta to Prabal Gurung, the rapper’s Met Gala looks have ranged from ultra-feminine to avant-garde, often aligning with her artist persona’s duality: theatrical, but also deeply personal. In her words, “When you understand yourself better…you are able to love yourself, and you’re able to love the imperfections that you never loved before.”
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