Rihanna’s Bubblegum Pink Balenciaga Look Sparks Confusion at Gotham Awards
Rihanna's pink outfit left fans confused.
Image: X / thealertcontent
“It’s ugly until Rihanna wears it” is the mantra of fashion lovers everywhere, describing trends no one can quite decide are hits or misses. But even the queen of style isn’t immune to fashion missteps.
At the 35th Gotham Independent Film Awards in New York on Monday, Rihanna stunned and confused in a bizarre bubblegum pink Balenciaga dress from the Spring/Summer 2026 collection by Pierpaolo Piccioli.
The off-the-shoulder drop-waist balloon dress featured a floor-sweeping train and puffy sleeves, a signature Balenciaga look known for bold, avant-garde designs. Yet, even on the runway, this particular style drew mixed reactions.
Rihann's Balenciag dress.
Image: Instagram / _rihannalovers
While undeniably high-fashion, many viewers felt the gown resembled “a bed sheet awkwardly gathered above her knees.”
Rihanna accessorised the look with a feathered peak cap and a pink-and-purple-hued jewelled neckpiece, continuing the unconventional pink theme.
Even on Reddit, where fans usually defend Rihanna’s every style choice, reactions were less than enthusiastic.
“The hat is worse than the dress, and the dress is two fitted sheets stapled together haphazardly,” one user commented.
Another added: “Noooope! This is the dress that every high schooler makes when they first get a sewing machine. Balenciaga is trolling, and even Rihanna can't sell this mess.”
The bold outfit also stood in sharp contrast to A$AP Rocky’s sleek black Chanel suit.
Rocky, who received the award for Breakthrough Performer of the Year, recently became Chanel’s latest ambassador, making for a night of fashion highs and unexpected misfires.
Let’s hope that the next time Riri steps out, she will be back to her usual trend-setting self.