Rihanna’s custom-made Givenchy tour costume is a symbol of “female empowerment”.
The singer donned the Riccardo Tisci-designed ensemble as she kicked off her highly-anticipated Diamonds World Tour in Buffalo's First Niagara Center on Friday.
The Barbadian beauty strutted onto the stage dressed in a black floor-length ruffled silk cape complete with embroidered collar.
A pair of black and white leather thigh-high boots with lacing completed the look.
"[The costume is a symbol of] female empowerment and urban haute couture elegance," Riccardo explained to WWD.
The costume aimed to match the dark yet romantic mood of Rihanna's Unapologetic album, which the tour supports.
Riccardo continued the theme through the lower layers of the outfit which were revealed when Rihanna shed the cape.
Taking inspiration from Givenchy's Fall/Winter 13 men's collection, Rihanna rocked a printed parka featuring gold bullet motifs, embroidery and Swarovski elements.
The star shed this to unveil a skimpy black and white leather bra with golden buckles plus a pair of black satin shorts.
Adding an edgy touch to her look was a pair of couture goggles featuring gold hardware, a gold metal shark tooth necklace that spelled out RIRI and white crystal stud earrings.
“Rihanna represents what young and amazing means today,” Riccardo gushed. “She is punk and talented. She offers intelligence, energy and pure beauty. She is the face of her generation.”
Following her sold-out performance in Buffalo, Rihanna had to cancel Sunday night’s concert in Boston due to laryngitis.
Rihanna's stylist Mel Ottenberg recently said that the Givenchy label had caught the star's eye.
"We’re really into Givenchy, Azzedine Alaïa. We love Raf Simons; we love Lanvin; we love Jeremy Scott; we love Opening Ceremony and Kenzo," Mel said. "We got a lot of faves but those are on the tip of my tongue right now."
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