When Erykah Badu released her Grammy-winning debut album Baduizm in 1997, she arrived with a fully formed, unmatchable aesthetic. The Dallas-born-and-raised star, whose real name is Erica Wright, fashioned a star-is-born image that deftly mixed and mashed references from various parts of the African diaspora. Rastafarian, afrofuturist, urban streetwear—there were really no borders around Badu’s pool of inspiration.
And that's stayed true over the course of her career. From wearing androgynous Thom Browne to the 2021 Met Gala to donning a silk robe and dramatic bowler hat for Rihanna’s Fenty Savage runway show, Badu always projects an image that is uniquely her own.
Now, the Queen of Neo-Soul—and Style—will finally receive her fashion flowers as she's set to receive the Fashion Icon award at the 2024 CFDA Fashion Awards on October 28. “This honor is amazing, and I do not take it for granted,” Badu told the CFDA. A testament to her impact on fashion and pop culture, the prestigious accolade recognizes her as a trailblazer who has not only pushed the boundaries of style, but also inspired a generation of designers, artists, and fans.
Art is the Absence of Fear.
Badu was dishing out iconic outfits even in her career’s infancy. The star repped the Big D with a red long-sleeve jersey emblazoned with “DALLAS” that she paired with a long, flowing red skirt and a striped head wrap in 1999. The result felt simultaneously rooted in Americana and Africana.
The singer developed a penchant for daring, and slightly kooky, red-carpet looks early on, too. She wore a fuzzy, Big Bird-yellow overcoat—masterfully cinched and tailored as if it were an evening gown—to the premiere of the Tobey Maguire-led film The Cider House Rules (in which Badu played a small role), also in 1999. The look feels impressively modern and aligned with the textural trend currently dominating Marni, The Elder Statesman, Jacquemus, and other brands. Maybe the singer, who has repeatedly referenced ancient spirituality and astrology in her song lyrics, is clairvoyant.
Badu has been unafraid to lean into culturally loaded beauty and fashion, routinely donning bangles and arm cuffs, tribal makeup, and kente cloth. But her approach never feels heady or laborious. Case in point: Badu keeping things fresh and fun with a denim-on-demin-on-denim look at the 1999 Soul Train Awards. (Sorry Justin-Britney fans, Badu did it first.)
If You're Going to Say Something, Make Sure You're Actually Saying Something.
In more recent years, Badu has embraced boldly oversized silhouettes and pieces. Think toddler-height bowler hats, voluminous overcoats, dramatic bell sleeves, a suit dress with a train evocative of freshly picked cotton. The evolution feels like a natural and exciting progression for a star who has said a lot through her fashion.
As of late, she has turned more and more to luxury brands for assistance, most notably Thom Browne. The star attended the brand’s spring 2023 show in a Southern Gothic-leaning androgynous and brooding suit by the American designer.
At 53, Badu is a powerful illustration that style only gets better—and more skillfully refined—with age.
“I love that the garments that I get to wear have sound and movement and make music. The beads and metal pieces and things that I constantly add to my wardrobe are parts of what makes me, me,” Badu told Vogue in 2022. “I love my clothes to sing.”
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