14 Times Erykah Badu Proved She’s the Ultimate Fashion Icon

Only a select few can embody the essence of a true fashion icon, and Erykah Badu stands out as one of those rare individuals.

This year, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) recognized Badu’s unparalleled influence by awarding her the prestigious Fashion Icon Award—a long-overdue tribute to her decades of boundary-pushing style both on and off the stage. Badu’s dynamic and multifaceted approach to fashion reflects her rich musical versatility, making her a celebrated figure in both realms.

Since her breakthrough in the late ’90s, Erykah Badu has become synonymous with unforgettable red-carpet appearances. Each appearance is marked by an eccentric and audacious style that not only turns heads but also serves as a commentary on art, culture, and identity.

This piece of content delves into 14 standout moments that have solidified Badu’s status as the ultimate fashion icon.

Erykah Badu graced the CFDA red carpet in an ensemble that could only be described as magnificent. She donned a Thom Browne’s hourglass all-in-one Chesterfield suit layered elegantly with an embroidered cardigan, a pleated skirt, and trousers expertly crafted from black cashmere, three-ply mohair, wool flannel, and silk faille.

Dressed in an abstract floral creation by Comme des Garçons, the musician perfectly interpreted the 2024 Met Gala theme, “Garden of Time.”

In April, Erykah Badu appeared on the GQ Creativity Awards red carpet in New York City wearing an elaborate Marni ensemble. Her look combined a black-and-white coat dress with red accents, gray gloves, and a towering hat. She finished the look with a bold avant-garde accessory featuring a tulle overlay in striking yellow and black stripes.

Badu turned heads at the 2023 Met Gala, appearing beneath layers of fringe in a striking Marni dress.

The talented songstress patchwork and beaded Marni ensemble at the 2022 Met Gala almost seemed like a wearable musical instrument.

Bold and colorful as ever, Erykah Badu was radiant in Valentino’s signature pink at Pierpaolo Piccoli’s 2022 show.

Going for an enigmatic look, Erykah Badu arrived at the 2021 Met Gala red carpet in a sleek, all-black outfit by Thom Browne, nearly disappearing under layers of dark fabric.

In March 2020, the fashion icon took her eclectic style up a notch by wearing a white look topped with a snug hood, decorated in airbrushed graphics inspired by Louis Vuitton’s Damier Ebene pattern.

At the 2018 Soul Train Awards, Badu arrived on the black carpet in a sculptural Rick Owens ensemble featuring dramatic cut-out detailing, complete with a matching headpiece fresh off the Paris runway.

Long before it became a trend, Erykah Badu sported exposed stockings paired with heels at the 2017 CFDA Fashion Awards red carpet, setting her own stylish precedent.

Adding flair to her oversized white coat, Badu wore a towering top hat that amusingly had its own mini hat perched on top during the 2017 Soul Train Awards.

Erykah Badu stunned in a voluminous yellow gown with billowing sleeves and a full skirt at the 2016 Soul Train Music Awards red carpet. Badu accessorized the look with her signature hat which further elevated the look.

Channeling a goth aesthetic, the singer wore a dramatic power-shoulder gown, enhanced with baroque-style jewelry for a darkly elegant effect during the 2015 Soul Train Awards.

Erykah Badu’s long-awaited Met Gala debut happened in 2014, where she wowed in a chic Givenchy look by Riccardo Tisci.