The Tamesis
Lately, Rihanna has been embracing 2016’s style codes, giving some of the most controversial trends of the era her own contemporary spin—including blazer, leggings, and pumps combos that can be worn from the office to the club. The pop star continues the provocative sartorial spirit; this time, we’re taking the vibe back a few decades and enjoying some ’80s animal prints.
Rihanna supports her partner A$AP Rocky on East Coast New York to promote his latest album, Don’t be stupid. In keeping with her chill city style, yesterday she opted for a tiger-print wool-blend jacquard coat from Alaïa (Rih’s all-time favorite designer), paired with tiger-print calf hair pumps from the same French brand, and that’s about it. She wore fire engine red lips, her hair in a loose bun, a face-framing piece, a Bryony Raymond gold necklace, and angular, oversized black sunglasses.
Photo: Getty Images
Rih is clearly an animal print aficionado, and she also carries her favorite Louis Vuitton vintage leopard print mini Papillon bag, which she keeps rotating in her handbags from Aspen to Los Angeles and New York.
Rihanna delights in the maximalist glamor of the ’80s, making a strong case for the return of tiger print. This is also the second time Rih has donned Alaïa pumps, having paired them with a similar denim pair earlier this week. But the Fenty Beauty mogul has proven herself agnostic about animal prints, especially snake print—a pair of Amina Muaddi python boots are the most wearable shoes in her wardrobe.
Photo: Backgrid
Photo: Backgrid
While leopard print may be considered neutral, and cow and deer prints are experiencing something of a renaissance, tiger print feels more reviled. However, if you cast your eyes on the spring 2026 shows at Alaïa, Gucci and Chopova Lowena (and a particularly eye-catching beaded tiger dress at Matthieu Blazey’s Chanel Métiers d’art show), you’ll see tiger prints floating around.
