L'HISTOIRE: Aaliyah in a Nude-Colored Roberto Cavalli Dress at the 2001 Essence Awards
The Princess of R&B had a love for Roberto Cavalli, and this red carpet look proves why.
L’HISTOIRE explores fashion history moments you should know, from what actors wore on a red carpet to celebrities who made cameos on the runway. Some are unsung, and some are better known. Each is part of the fabric of today’s fashion world, be it barrier breakers or culture makers.
Aaliyah had many iconic looks throughout her career and was favored by fashion brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren. The Princess of R&B also had a love for Roberto Cavalli and was known to prefer his gowns for her red carpet appearances. One look in particular with the Italian designer (who passed away in 2024) ought that remains in the fashion history books came at the 2001 Essence Awards.
She wore a fitted, silk gown with a feather-print design that featured a bustier over a flowing skirt, all with accents of brown and pink. Altogether, it created a stunning and memorable look. For this look, she opted for the classic ‘90s lip combo of brown liner with gloss and kept her makeup warm, looking like a goddess in the Y2K era. Her strappy high heels completed the look as she strutted the red carpet in Roberto Cavalli.
With the guidance of her stylist Derek Lee, the singer experimented with silhouettes and styles and was able to balance the tomboy aesthetic with a feminine touch throughout her career. Streetwear defined the ‘90s and early 2000s, and no one captured its essence like Aaliyah did. She was the ultimate trendsetter of the oversized silhouettes and vibes still worn in the 2020s. She redefined musical genres like contemporary R&B, pop, and hip-hop before she reached her mid-20s, and she had a lasting impact on fashion, too.
"Babygirl," a nickname given to her by her nearest and dearest, also pursued acting and landed roles in Romeo Must Die (2000) as Trish O’Day and, most notably, Queen of the Damned (2002) as Akasha, the queen of all vampires, a role that still inspires cosplays to this day. Aaliyah tragically passed in August 2001 in a plane crash in the Bahamas before the film’s theatrical release. On what would have been her forty-sixth birthday in 2025, Barbie announced its Aaliyah doll paying homage to the late creative.
To emulate Aaliyah's Roberto Cavalli look, aim for a fitted silhouette like the one in Cult Mia's nude-colored and shimmering dress. For jewelry, keep it simple with a pair of gold earrings (like Jenny Bird's ear jackets) like the R&B singer. A pair of strappy brown or nude heels would complement the dress, like Cinq à Sept's metallic sandals. For beauty, opt for relaxed tresses, a glow-y visage, and ever-so-subtle smokey eye. Above all, rock the look with confidence and poise. That is, after all, the true key to Aaliyah's style.
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