20Nicki Minaj is a risk-taker when it comes to music and fashion.
Through the years, Minaj has been hailed as a trailblazer breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes in the rap industry — while also serving up memorable looks on and off the red carpet.
The hip-hop star has never shied away from a bold style statement, expressing herself via outfits that feature vibrant colors, unique textures and daring silhouettes. The artist often teams her over-the-top ensembles with lively hair moments, including towering wigs, rainbow dye jobs and Rapunzel-like hair extensions. She’s known to rock stiletto-esque manicures too.
While fans often bask in her style choices while she’s on stage or at the Grammys or VMAs, Minaj has been a staple at the Met Gala — further confirming her It Girl status as an invite to fashion’s biggest night is hard to come by. One of her most notable Met moments came in May 2018 when she graced the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City wearing a bright red sequined Oscar de la Renta gown teamed with a tulle cape and a beaded headpiece.
Keep scrolling to see Minaj’s style evolution:
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September 2023
Minaj was a bridal Barbie in a pink Dolce & Gabbana gown with a matching sheer veil at the MTV VMAs in New Jersey.
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July 2023
She showed off her figure in a sky-blue Alaïa skirt set at the Barbie premiere in Los Angeles.
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May 2022
Minaj brought goth glam vibes to the Met Gala in a black feather-adorned ensemble by Burberry’s Ricciardo Tisci.
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February 2020
She was a walking bouquet in a floral dress by Marc Jacobs at the label’s fall/winter 2020 runway show during New York Fashion Week.
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May 2019
The “Feeling Myself” rapper was pretty in a princess pink Prabal Gurung high-low gown at the Met Gala.
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November 2018
Minaj looked like a trophy in a metallic Versace creation at the MTV VMAs in Spain.
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September 2018
She proved you can never have too much color — or patterns — in head-to-toe Versace at the fashion house’s spring/summer show during Milan Fashion Week.
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September 2018
The “Super Bass” artist looked like a work of art in a magenta Marc Jacobs gown that featured billowing sleeves at the label’s spring/summer 2019 runway show during New York Fashion Week.
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September 2018
She showed Us her wild side in an Alexandre Vauthier tiger-striped dress at the Harper’s Bazaar Icons party in New York City.
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August 2018
Minaj wore a high-cut bodysuit with a sheer overlay by Off-White MTV VMAs in New York City.
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May 2018
She was a lady in red thanks to Oscar de la Renta at the Met Gala.
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September 2017
Minaj wore a strapless gown covered in blue, yellow and pink beads by Oscar de la Renta at the Harper’s Bazaar Icons party in New York City.
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August 2017
She wore a hot pink latex two-piece by VEX Clothing at the MTV VMAs in Los Angeles.
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May 2017
Minaj wore a bespoke black and red design by H&M at the Met Gala.
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March 2017
She wore a breast-baring blazer, only covering her nipple with a metallic pasty at the Haider Ackermann show during Paris Fashion Week.
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August 2016
Minaj was gorgeous in a sheer blue Bao Tranchi gown at the MTV VMAs in New York City.
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May 2016
Minaj was a must-see in a black sheer Moschino gown covered in belts at the Met Gala in New York City.
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August 2015
She was a golden goddess in a plunging gown at the MTV VMAs in Los Angeles.
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May 2013
Minaj was red hot in a crimson ball gown at the Billboard Music Awards.
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January 2013
She paired her platform Christian Louboutins with a little black dress at the TCA Winter Press Tour in Los Angeles.
