By Cheyenne Chia

It’s official: Rihanna has given birth to a baby boy on May 13, but this exciting news was only announced a week later on May 20! Though it is to be expected that any celebrity’s pregnancy would receive media attention, the beauty and brains behind Fenty Beauty broke the Internet with her daring fashion statements that placed her bump on full display. It is no overstatement to say that Rihanna has revolutionised conceptions of maternity wear. To congratulate Riri’s exciting motherhood and honour her baby bump era, we have picked five of our favourite iconic maternity looks repped by the pop icon — from custom sequinned Nikes to the coveted Union x Air Jordan 4s.

1. Baby Bump Reveal à la Shocking Pink

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Arguably the most iconic moment of Rihanna’s pregnancy was her unprecedented announcement. In an outdoor date with her partner, A$AP Rocky, the two strolled down the streets of New York City with her baby bump in full view. Aligned with the shocking news, the long vintage Chanel puffer was in a shocking neon pink. Her pregnant tummy was also decorated with a body chain strung with pearls and gems. This striking look finishes off with a pair of distressed jeans and a pair of heels — a footwear choice that would be characteristic of her maternity looks and be a source of awe for many onlookers.

A$AP Rocky himself is decked out in a comfy fit — black beanie, denim Carhatt jacket, knitted vest and white tee. His leather pants and boots modernise the look with glossy textures.

2. West Hollywood Oversized Casual

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A complete 180 from her reveal look is this casual outfit Rihanna donned for lunch with partner A$AP Rocky. Oversized from head-to-toe, one can’t help but be drawn to the vintage-looking Mickey and Minnie t-shirt, whose comical style distracts from her barely visible bump. Wittily, the tee prints “Who Dat Is? Dat’s Jus My Baby Daddy” — a great summary of this snapshot!

Waist down, baggy, washed jeans lay atop an eye-catching Union LA x Air Jordan 4 Retro “Guava Ice”. A unique piece often touted as a reinvention of the classic Air Jordan 4, this edition is notable for its foldable tongue, which unfortunately has been covered up in the image. We got you covered, though: Rihanna was seen wearing these iconic sneaks in another date with baby daddy A$AP Rocky in Los Angeles.

Image via Backgrid

Paired with a pastel Simon Rocha tulle midi dress, she has kept the tongue folded down, revealing the stitched Air Jordan logo. Propped above her bright smile is a pair of Loewe sunnies in a similar shade as her dress, allowing the Air Jordan 4s to take the spotlight.

While in the previous casual outfit, A$AP Rocky matches Rihanna with oversized denims and UGGs, this pairing sees the rapper countering Rihanna’s colours. Decked out in full black,  his leather jacket pairs well with the iconic adidas silhouette.

3. Monochromatic Lounge at Nobu

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Monochromatic looks remain trendy in these few years, and Rihanna exhibits this with a matching knitwear set that proudly highlights her pregnancy. The assemble of navy halter bra top and maxi skirt (Alaïa) is paired with a fitting blue-camo Dior saddle. Per the classic streetwear look that Rihanna has going for her, she completes it with a comfy but stylish pair of adidas Samba. The Samba is a design that enjoys popularity with both sportsmen, for its performance on field, and sneakerheads, for its sleek wearability. Truly a timeless staple!

4. Sparkling Street in Beverly Hills

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In another night-out assemble, Rihanna moves away from monochromatic textures to silky garments and sequinned dazzle. Sporting a maxi-length shirt with only one button done, her pregnant belly greets paparazzi and onlookers unabashedly. Bottoms are kept casual-cute with gingham shorts, giving way to the the stars of the show — a silver Balenciaga hourglass mini bag, diamond necklace and custom sequinned Nike Air Force 1 Lows. As she continuously does with her public maternity appearances, Rihanna proves that the much-need comfort during pregnancy need not be drab. Simply dazzle with accessories while keeping the actual articles of clothing simple and easy to move in.

5. The Perfect Disguise

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An honorary mention is this fit that Rihanna donned in January, before the cat was out of the bag that she had a baby boy swelling within her. Her look is a contribution to the logomania that has saturated much of streetwear. Rihanna dresses in the Balenciaga x Gucci 100th Anniversary collection’s The Hacker Cocoon Puffer Gilet in “Beige” and a matching monogram scarf. Her sunnies also bear logos of this collection. Not only did the puffer jacket’s silhouette effectively concealed her baby bump, it also became a trending look on the Internet, boosting her status as the generation’s defining fashion icon.

Rihanna is a revolutionary in many fields. As one of the most streamed musicians of all time, her songs have characterised the 2000s. The launch of her beauty brand Fenty Beauty shifted the industry towards becoming more inclusive of all skin tones. Now, with her recent pregnancy, the singer-entrepreneur has pushed the fashion-boundaries of maternity wear. Perhaps her journey into motherhood would see Rihanna revolutionising the children’s wear industry — not a farfetched expectation given her credentials!