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Celeb News: The Story of Rihanna's CFDA Dress
Member Since: 4/30/2012
Posts: 16,573
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The Story of Rihanna's CFDA Dress
ELLE Magazine did an interview with the designer of Rihanna's now infamous CFDA dress, Adam Selman, where he gave some insight on how the iconic look came together.
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230,000 Crystals, 20 People, 7 Days: the Story of Rihanna's CFDA Dress
RUTHIE FRIEDLANDER | FASHION NEWS
By now you've seen it everywhere—on blogs, on Twitter, on Instagram even: the completely sheer crystal-covered dress Rihanna wore to last night's CFDA Awards. And its ubiquity was well deserved: Rihanna was truly a vision. The man behind the dress? Adam Selman, a designer best known for creating costumes for pop stars like Rihanna (and Lady Gaga and Gwen Stefani), who also recently launched his own line. Here, he tells us how the dress came to be:
How did the dress come to be?
From a fashion perspective, this was a big one for all of us. Before we had even discussed the design, I talked to [Rihanna’s stylist] Mel Ottenberg and told him how much I wanted to make something for the CFDA event. It meant a lot to me. We were in L.A. with Rihanna for the MTV Movie Awards about a month ago and we all started discussing the CFDA look. We agreed on the idea of a crystal dress. It happened super organically. Next thing you know, I had sketched the designs, made some samples. Rihanna tweaked a few bits, and we were off to the races!
Did Rihanna ask specifically certain things?
She was very exact with what she wanted. She always is. We dyed the mesh to be her exact skin tone. She also asked me to mix plain crystals in with the colorful ones, and in person it made such an amazing difference. It added a depth I wasn’t expecting. Her instincts on these decisions are always spot on.
Let’s do some numbers: How many crystals? How long did it take to make? How much did it weigh?
It was a lot. We had to keep going back for more. The final count ended up being over 230,000 crystals. Rihanna, Mel, and I have always wanted to do a chainmail dress, but we wanted to do it in a fresh way. I took fishnet fabric and the crystals were all hand applied by my amazing team. We started [applying them] on Memorial Day. It took so much longer than expected. We had people crystaling 'round the clock until 3pm the day of the event. It took 20 people to get it done. A lot of them didn’t sleep! It was an amazing accomplishment and team effort. The effect was surprisingly lightweight and liquid.
What underwear is she wearing?
Ummmmm….. I wish I had made enough time to make the panty, too. Next time.
What was your first thought when you saw it on?
Mel did a fitting. I was in Colorado at my sister’s wedding (which made the situation even crazier) When I saw it, I cried. Real tears! They sent me a video of her wearing it, and she was just beaming. I usually don’t get outwardly emotional about these things, but this one really struck a chord.
We miss Rihanna a lot on Instagram. This was her first big moment out that we were able to see her in all her glory. Did that put any added pressure?
Not at all. That never came up. It was just important to make this moment major and have the fashion world take notice. And come on! Lighten up people. She looked incredible in every curve of her glory.
What is one thing about this dress that other people wouldn’t know?
People keep referring to it as Josephine Baker, Gatsby, and Marilyn Monroe. But let's not forget about Whitney! And the legendary Bob Mackie! People should always be talking about Bob Mackie. He’s one of my idols.
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I LOVE how it was Rihanna's own idea to mix & match the stones. I'm a fashion major and would have suggested the same thing; really speaks to her creative insights. The dress looks great on camera and in video, but I can't even imagine how stunning it is in real life.
A true fashion MOMENT. 
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Member Since: 8/25/2012
Posts: 30,317
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What underwear is she wearing?
Ummmmm….. I wish I had made enough time to make the panty, too. Next time.
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I was gonna comment on the panties. I think it would have looked even better if she'd worn something embellished or if the front piece was smaller, less noticeable. But you probably only see it in pictures.
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Member Since: 1/2/2014
Posts: 18,038
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Fashion icon 
And I love that she was very involved with the outfit, let this be a lesson to those who claim all she does is just wear the clothes her stylists give her.
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 21,558
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Originally posted by Ressti
I was gonna comment on the panties. I think it would have looked even better if she'd worn something embellished or if the front piece was smaller, less noticeable. But you probably only see it in pictures.
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She was wearing the bow over it most of the time tho, but I agree.
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 3/15/2013
Posts: 39,618
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The crystal dress  Iconic
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Member Since: 9/17/2011
Posts: 9,051
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The headpiece was also her idea according to Mel
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Member Since: 2/6/2014
Posts: 41,074
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Fashion ICON. 
I love how she was involved with the process.
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Member Since: 9/1/2013
Posts: 20,022
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Fascinating. And the dress is already iconic. 
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Member Since: 9/17/2011
Posts: 9,051
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Quote:
Originally posted by Ressti
I was gonna comment on the panties. I think it would have looked even better if she'd worn something embellished or if the front piece was smaller, less noticeable. But you probably only see it in pictures.
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Yea agree, she made a conscious effort to cover the panties for the most part
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Member Since: 4/3/2014
Posts: 3,847
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Quote:
Originally posted by Ressti
I was gonna comment on the panties. I think it would have looked even better if she'd worn something embellished or if the front piece was smaller, less noticeable. But you probably only see it in pictures.
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Yeah, the underwear looked very odd but she still looked absolutely wonderful. And if you saw her in real life you probably wouldn't notice it.
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Member Since: 4/30/2012
Posts: 16,573
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Originally posted by RihRihGirrrl
The headpiece was also her idea according to Mel
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True!
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STYLE.COM Exclusive
“We started talking about it, and I sketched it shortly after,” said Selman, noting it was a heavily collaborative process. In fact, the matching do-rag was all Rih’s idea. “It brings such a Rihanna feel to the whole thing,” said Selman. “It seals the deal.”
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 28,137
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They even mentioned her IG. The slayage 
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Member Since: 1/3/2014
Posts: 10,919
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Quote:
Originally posted by Ressti
I was gonna comment on the panties. I think it would have looked even better if she'd worn something embellished or if the front piece was smaller, less noticeable. But you probably only see it in pictures.
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Agree, But maybe the panties had to be clearly visible so people wouldnt think her vajay was exposed,
But a G string would've looked better.
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Member Since: 8/1/2012
Posts: 25,037
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This is why she's a fashion ICON and not just a dress up doll of her stylist 
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Member Since: 3/21/2012
Posts: 55,134
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Queen still getting praise
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Member Since: 3/6/2011
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 3,815
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The headwear reminded me of a Whitney in Bodyguard when she sang I have nothing.
But Yaaas Fashion, Feminist, and Music Icon 
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Member Since: 1/24/2012
Posts: 3,704
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ICON
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Member Since: 3/27/2012
Posts: 18,963
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Obviously she was involved in the process of a custom dress. She got a fashion award, obviously she knows whats up.
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Member Since: 4/30/2012
Posts: 16,573
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Originally posted by swissman
Why are people surprised or even feel the need to applaud that she input into her dress? She got a fashion award, obviously she knows whats up.
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Because there is an alarming and very false notion that Rihanna has no input in her career (at least on this website), and it's always nice to have her team speak against that.
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