Rihanna’s glitzy New York Fashion Week dress is a tribute to this iconic supermodel

Rihanna made a typically iconic appearance at Alaïa’s New York Fashion Week show this week, in a sparkling custom-made dress by the brand.

And yes, the show was beautiful – but no one can bring a show to a standstill quite so quickly as RiRi herself. For Alaïa, legendary couture house and maker of those viral mesh ballerina flats, it was the label’s first time back at New York Fashion Week since 1982 – but the front row was just as high calibre as its last shows in Paris.

However, one seat in the coveted front row remained conspicuously empty for a long time – since Rihanna was a good half hour late for the start of the show. But that’s not the only reason why her arrival caused a moment of silence in the room.

When she did arrive, the singer appeared in a long, glittering mesh dress embroidered with large pearls along the hem – and with all the glam vibes, we didn’t know where to look first. To match, Rihanna wore beaded strappy sandals and earrings.

Rihanna perfected the grand entrance, that’s for sure. But the singer’s statement dress looked a little familiar, did it not?

Rihanna’s dress is a tribute to THIS supermodel

Rihanna’s diamond-like dress is in fact a clear reference to supermodel Naomi Campbell, who famously walked the Alaïa runway in a similar piece in the 90s. The original comes from the 1992 Alaïa spring/summer collection, at the time a two-piece consisting of a mini skirt and crop top with a hood made of the same fabric as Rihanna’s dress.

Naomi was one of Azzedine Alaïa’s original muses, and had a very close relationship to the designer – even referring to him as her ‘Papa’. You can see the image of the original dress here.

Back then and right now, both looks are certified stunning – consider our fashion history books officially updated.

This article originally appeared on Glamour Germany.