When A$AP Rocky stepped out in a sheer black mesh dress paired with a distressed denim jacket and chunky silver jewelry, the fashion world erupted. The look was unmistakably reminiscent of Rihanna’s 2022 maternity style—a moment that redefined pregnancy fashion. But was this a deliberate tribute, a subconscious influence, or an outright copy? The debate rages on, and the implications stretch far beyond a single outfit.
This isn’t just about two celebrities wearing similar clothes. It’s about gender fluidity in fashion, the power of maternity style as a cultural statement, and how Black creativity in fashion is often borrowed without credit. Let’s break it down—piece by piece, layer by layer.
A Side-by-Side Breakdown: Rihanna vs. A$AP Rocky’s Outfits
To understand the controversy, we need to dissect the two looks element by element. Here’s how they compare:
1. The Sheer Mesh Dress
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Rihanna (2022):
- Wore a custom Coperni sheer black dress with strategic cutouts to showcase her baby bump.
- The dress had a high neckline and long sleeves, balancing modesty with boldness.
- Paired with black lace-up heels and minimal jewelry—letting the dress (and her bump) be the statement.
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A$AP Rocky (2024):
- Opted for a looser, oversized sheer mesh dress (likely from a different designer, possibly Rick Owens or Maison Margiela).
- The dress had a dropped shoulder silhouette, giving it a more streetwear-meets-high-fashion vibe.
- Layered with a distressed denim jacket—a choice Rihanna never made in her maternity era.
2. The Styling Choices
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Rihanna’s Approach:
- Elegant minimalism—her looks were about celebrating pregnancy without distractions.
- Used fashion as a political statement, challenging societal norms around pregnant bodies.
- Often wore designer labels (Balenciaga, Dior, Coperni) to elevate the conversation.
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A$AP Rocky’s Twist:
- Streetwear edge—the denim jacket and chunky chains added a rebellious, gender-fluid touch.
- Less about pregnancy (obviously) and more about blurring gender lines in men’s fashion.
- Mixed high fashion with DIY aesthetics (e.g., the distressed denim).
3. The Cultural Context
Rihanna’s maternity looks were groundbreaking because they:
- Rejected the idea that pregnant women should "cover up."
- Proved that maternity wear could be high fashion, not just "practical."
- Inspired a wave of copycat looks (e.g., Doja Cat, Normani, and even non-pregnant celebrities).
A$AP Rocky’s look, while not maternity-related, taps into the same bold, unapologetic energy—but is it homage or appropriation?
Why This Isn’t Just About Copying—It’s About Fashion History
The debate over A$AP Rocky’s outfit isn’t new. Fashion has a long history of borrowing, remixing, and sometimes stealing ideas. But when it comes to Black creators, the line between inspiration and exploitation gets blurry.
1. The Legacy of Black Fashion Innovation
From Dapper Dan’s bootleg luxury in the 1980s to Virgil Abloh’s Off-White, Black designers have constantly pushed boundaries—only to see their ideas co-opted by mainstream brands without credit. Rihanna’s maternity style was no different:
- She challenged Eurocentric beauty standards by embracing her changing body in ways white celebrities rarely do.
- Her looks were immediately replicated by fast-fashion brands (e.g., Shein, Fashion Nova)—often poorly.
- Now, A$AP Rocky’s take raises questions: Is this another case of a Black man’s style being celebrated while Black women’s originality is overlooked?
2. Gender Fluidity in Fashion: A Double Standard?
A$AP Rocky has been a pioneer of gender-fluid fashion for years, wearing skirts, dresses, and nail polish long before it was mainstream for men. But here’s the issue:
- When Black women (like Rihanna) redefine fashion, they’re often labeled "too bold" or "inappropriate."
- When Black men (like A$AP) do it, they’re praised as "revolutionary" or "fearless."
- Is Rocky’s look being celebrated more because he’s a man in a dress, while Rihanna’s was criticized for being a pregnant woman in sheer fabric?
3. The "Hypebeast" Effect: How Streetwear Erases Black Women
Streetwear culture, which A$AP Rocky embodies, has a problematic history of:
- Taking from Black women’s style (e.g., baby tees, hoop earrings, bold prints) and repackaging it as "urban cool."
- Crediting male designers (like Virgil Abloh) while ignoring Black female pioneers (e.g., April Walker, Dapper Dan’s muse).
- In this case, Rocky’s look feels like a remix—but is he giving Rihanna her flowers, or just riding the wave?
How the Internet Reacted: Memes, Praise, and Backlash
The moment A$AP Rocky’s photos hit Instagram, the internet exploded. Here’s how different groups responded:
1. The Memes and Jokes
- "Rocky really out here trying to get a Fenty collab." – Twitter user @FashionBaddie
- "When you see your ex’s new boo wearing your old fit." – Meme comparing Rihanna’s face to Rocky’s outfit.
- "A$AP Rocky in 2024: ‘If I can’t have her, I’ll BE her.’" – Viral TikTok caption.
2. The Fashion Critics’ Take
Industry insiders were divided:
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Pro-Tribute:
- Diet Prada (fashion watchdog account) called it a "beautiful homage" to Rihanna’s influence.
- Vogue’s Chioma Nnadi noted that Rocky has "always blurred gender lines"—this was just another extension.
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Anti-Copycat:
- The Cut’s Amanda Mull argued that Rocky’s look "lacks the cultural weight" of Rihanna’s maternity statements.
- Black fashion historians pointed out that "Black men get applause for what Black women get backlash for."
3. The Rihanna Stans’ Verdict
Rihanna’s fanbase, the #Navy, had strong opinions:
- "He better not think he invented this."
- "Rihanna did it first, better, and while pregnant. Next."
- "If Rocky really wanted to pay homage, he should’ve credited her."
Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture of Fashion and Identity
This isn’t just about one outfit. It’s about:
1. Who Gets Credit in Fashion
Fashion has a long history of erasing Black creators:
- Madame CJ Walker (Black haircare pioneer) vs. white-owned brands profiting from her innovations.
- Dapper Dan (Harlem’s logo king) vs. luxury brands stealing his designs in the ‘90s.
- Rihanna’s Fenty revolutionized inclusive makeup, yet other brands got credit for "diversity."
A$AP Rocky’s look, while not a direct rip-off, benefits from Rihanna’s trailblazing—yet the conversation rarely centers her.
2. Maternity Fashion as a Political Act
Rihanna’s pregnancy looks were radical because:
- She rejected shame around the pregnant body.
- She forced high fashion to take maternity wear seriously.
- She inspired laws (e.g., New York’s Pregnant Workers Fairness Act) by normalizing pregnant women in workplaces.
Rocky’s outfit, while stylish, doesn’t carry the same social weight—raising questions about who gets to be "iconic" in fashion.
3. The Future of Gender-Fluid Fashion
A$AP Rocky’s look is part of a larger shift:
- Men in dresses are no longer shocking (thanks to Harry Styles, Lil Nas X, Bad Bunny).
- But Black men in feminine clothing still face more scrutiny than white counterparts.
- Rocky’s ability to pull this off without major backlash speaks to his cultural capital—something Rihanna had to fight for.
What Designers and Stylists Say About the Controversy
To get a professional take, we spoke to fashion designers, stylists, and historians about the Rocky-Rihanna debate.
1. The Stylist’s View: "It’s All About Intent"
Jason Bolden (celebrity stylist for Yara Shahidi, Alicia Keys):
"If A$AP Rocky’s team reached out to Rihanna or her stylist Jahleel Weaver beforehand, it’s a tribute. If not, it’s a missed opportunity to honor her impact. Fashion is about dialogue, not just aesthetics."
2. The Designer’s Take: "Remixing is Part of Fashion"
Telfar Clemens (designer, Telfar):
"Everything is a remix. But the question is: Who gets to remix whose work? Rihanna’s maternity looks were culturally specific—they weren’t just ‘fashion,’ they were Black feminist statements."
3. The Historian’s Perspective: "This is a Pattern"
Dr. Tanisha C. Ford (fashion historian, author of Dressed in Dreams):
"Black women’s bodies have always been sites of innovation and policing. Rihanna’s pregnancy style was liberation. A$AP Rocky’s look is liberation adjacent—but without the same stakes."
Rihanna’s Maternity Style: A Legacy That Changed Fashion Forever
To understand why A$AP Rocky’s look feels so loaded, we need to revisit Rihanna’s 2022 pregnancy fashion era—a moment that rewrote the rules.
1. The Looks That Broke the Internet
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The Pink Chanel Coat (January 2022):
- First public appearance post-pregnancy announcement.
- Oversized, gender-neutral Chanel coat with nothing underneath—a bold statement on body autonomy.
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The Sheer Black Coperni Dress (March 2022):
- Worn to a Dior show, this look went viral globally.
- Proved that maternity wear could be sexy, artistic, and high-fashion.
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The Red Balenciaga Gown (Met Gala 2022):
- Custom oversized red cape dress with a 10-minute walk up the stairs.
- Symbolized Black maternal power—a
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