Proof that Rihanna really is the queen of divas: she’s the only star to allow the V&A to use her outfits for its “Diva” exhibition, but urges fans not to take photos
Even in the world of divas, someone has to be a prima donna.
Get up, Rihanna.
The star has been dubbed “the ultimate diva” after she banned the public from photographing her outfits – in an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum dedicated to divas.
While visitors are encouraged to take photos of clothing items honoring celebrities such as Cher, Marilyn Monroe and Dame Shirley Bassey, they could be deported by security if they attempt to photograph any material about Rihanna.
The 35-year-old Barbadian, best known for hits like ‘Umbrella’, ‘Diamonds’ and ‘Take A Bow’, is believed to have made the ban a condition of making iconic outfits from her private archives available.
Rihanna attends the Met Gala Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018
The singer wore a black beanie and Balenciaga coat to the 2021 Met Gala
She has loaned the museum the Pope-inspired dress she wore to the 2018 Met Gala in New York, as well as the nude dress, embellished with more than 200,000 Swarovski crystals, that she wore to the 2014 Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards.
Visitors can also see the singer’s sheer maternity dress from the 2023 Academy Awards, a black Balenciaga hat and coat worn to the 2021 Met Gala, and a gray and white ensemble from her 2016 world tour. When a reporter for the Mail on Sunday visited the £20-a-head ‘Diva’ exhibition last week, she was told by an administrator that photography had been banned at the singer’s own request.
The steward said, “Beyond ‘It’s the artist’s request,’ not much was explained to us and personally I can’t even think of a possible excuse.” These dresses are here because she’s been photographed in a million different ways how she wears them.
“I’d like to know why, because I have to explain it to people.” I’m just like, ‘She’s a diva, isn’t she?’ We’ll leave it at that.’ “Visitors think it’s funny.”
Rihanna has made a lot of headlines with her diva claims. She reportedly gave staff a 10-page document with requests for her 2013 world tour, in which she also made sure her dressing room was exactly 73°F and had all-white furniture.
Bestselling author Kathy Lette said the singer’s image ban was a powerful statement in itself. She said: “This exhibition is a tribute to divas, and what better example of diva style could there be than forbidding museum visitors from taking photos of their outfits?”
The star has been dubbed “the ultimate diva” after she banned the public from photographing her outfits – in an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum dedicated to divas
Visitors can see the singer’s sheer maternity dress from the 2023 Academy Awards, a black beanie and Balenciaga coat she wore to the 2021 Met Gala, and a gray and white ensemble from her 2016 world tour.
Alison Jackson, the photographer and BAFTA-winning filmmaker, said, “It’s hard to understand the reasoning behind the ban… is she intentionally going against it for publicity purposes?” as this might reveal their special secrets of design craft?”
The Diva exhibition, which runs until April next year, also features Tina Turner’s 1977 Flame dress and a Vivienne Westwood dress that Adele wore on the cover of British Vogue in 2021.
A spokesperson for Rihanna was contacted for comment.