Rihanna at the 2014 CFDA Awards

Does this really come as a surprise? It was the first fashion moment that popped into my head when brainstorming the most iconic 2010 looks, and perhaps even ever. Although many celebs make feeble attempts to mimic this effortless ‘invisible dress’, none could ever come close. The very drama of this dress nourished us and not because of Rihanna’s body or the shock factor alone. The blush shrug, turban/head wrap and sparkling earrings are almost Gatsby-esque in their grandeur-perfect inspiration to enter the 20’s with.

“Do my tits bother you? They’re covered in Swarovski crystals girl”

– Robin Rihanna Fenty 2014

“Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise…That I dance like I’ve got diamonds – At the meeting of my thighs?”

– Maya Angelou Still I Rise 1978

Lupita Nyong’o at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival

Lupita always delivers when it comes to elegance and she cemented this in our brains eternally after sashaying into Cannes in that emerald Gucci dress. A vision of ruffles, chiffon and buckets of flair, the Chopard jewels and golden headband were fit for a goddess (pardon the pun).

Ezra Miller at the 2019 Met Gala

The layers of optical illusion prevailed this year’s Met Gala looks, with a decadent mask and intricate makeup (imagine having to do your eyeliner 7 times!!) to do the trick. Awe-inspiring, truly. The bejewelled corset placed atop a pinstripe suit, with a crisp white shirt just beneath, added a gauze of camp ‘simplicity’ that made it all the more striking.

Angelina Jolie’s Leg at the 2013 Oscars

My intuition tells me that the amount of hate which polluted the 2013 media-scape about this leggy moment was fuelled by insecurity and intimidation. Yes, that same attention is partly why her look made it onto my ever so exclusive list. But nevertheless, this all black ensemble was fierce. That sharply contrasting, enviably taught limb in question was the only accessory she needed- but the bad-ass tattoos didn’t hurt either. To those that have a problem with her posing- you never know what angle the camera’s gonna catch you from. Duh.

Beyoncé at the 2015 Met Gala

This is one of the only other invisible dresses (so far) which deserves applause. The jewels, the gauze, the blonde ‘beyhive’ high pony, and the smoulder to match. Also, remember when everyone and their mother’s prostitute had a pair of those Jeffrey Campbell, missing heel platforms

Cardi B at the 2019 Grammys

Venus in a half-shell with a velvet, satin and pearl twist. The elbow length gloves and extravagant pearl choker, with headpiece to match, were divinely inspired. I don’t know who this woman’s stylist is, but they were a god-send. The Ursula vibes are no laughing matter, but rather a campy feat which is hard for the basics to live up to. Good luck, Kate Bosworth.

Billy Porter at the 2019 Oscars

This full-skirted tuxedo dress is editorial androgyny at its finest. The velvet train and ruffled white button up combined classical femininity and masculinity into a subtle smorgasbord of “walking political art”. Top tip: if you want to wear a ball-gown, wear one. If you want to wear a tux, make it a spectacle. And if you can’t choose between them, don’t bother.

Comme des Garcons Fall 2012

Like these paper-doll coat dresses, the future seems two dimensional in Rei Kawakubo’s eyes.

Louis Vuitton Spring 2014

This kind of reminds me of the first lady- not Melania, I mean the Statue of Liberty. But almost more decadent. Marc Jacobs was inspired by all his muses: Coco Chanel, Rei Kawakubo and Miuccia Prada. Dedicated “to the showgirl in all of us”, the feathers, sequins and sheerness are everything I stand for.

Lady Gaga at the 2010 Grammys

I’m not willing to discuss the meat dress. Fight me if you think that was a good choice (yes, I’m vegan). But Gaga mainstreamed avant-garde before copycats like Cardi started wearing steaming haute couture to award shows. She is an artiste. I appreciate her looks almost more than her music. “Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, sh*t on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it”… 2010s fashion is not complete without one of her ugly-chic outfits.

Valentino Spring 2019 Haute Couture

Pierpaolo Piccioli’s “magisterial” show “invented new harmonies” of colour in the beautiful garments, designed to suit flower faerie queens. The luxurious fabrics and intricate details transform into rosebud veils of organza.

Viktor & Rolf Spring 2019

I questioned these slogan dresses at first, but the silhouette and soft pastels are so dignified and sophisticated, with an almost whimsical twist.

Beyoncé in the 2016 Lemonade video

Peter Dundas’ billowing dress was meant to allude to African goddess Oshun, the Yoruba deity of love who was sensual, healing and life-giving. I’ve never given much thought to what I’d wear to “smash the windows out” of my man’s car in a collected expression of rage and rebirth, but thank you Bey for teaching us. This OOTD put mustard yellow on everybody’s radar. If you are that girl, then you cannot settle for anything less than that dress- let that be your mantra. Baseball bat not optional.

Doutzen Kroes at the 2010 Met Gala

They must’ve borrowed this Zac Posen dress for the 2015 live action Cinderella remake.

Blair Waldorf Gossip Girl Every Season Ever

I’m ending on the highest note of all, with the most perfectionist grandeur in the 2010s. What would Blair Waldorf do? More importantly, what (and who) would she wear? This should be gospel for anyone trying to take chic to the city streets as a career girl who prefers brunches and mimosas to coffee mornings. Also, headbands. That is all.

I do not own any images.