Mariah Carey’s style is as noteworthy as her music career. The R&B icon got her start in the 1990s before rising to global superstardom.
Through the years, her style has been defined by glamour and glitz — the legendary songstress is known to favor sequins and rhinestones. In honor of Carey’s 55th birthday on Wednesday, WWD looks back at her best fashion moments from the ’90s to now.
Grammy Awards, 1991
Mariah Carey at the 1991 Grammys.
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Carey scored her first two Grammys wearing a Pamela Dennis little black dress featuring bedazzled straps. The singer took home Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female for “Vision Of Love.”
Mariah Carey and Tommy Mottola’s Wedding, 1993
Mariah Carey and Tommy Mottola at their wedding in 1993.
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Carey walked down the aisle in a custom Vera Wang gown inspired by Princess Diana’s iconic wedding dress. While her marriage to Tommy Mottola didn’t last, Carey did re-wear the gown in her music video for “We Belong Together.”
MTV Video Music Awards, 1997
Mariah Carey at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards.
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Taking another hint from Princess Di, Carey sported a two-piece “revenge dress” by Calvin Klein following her split from Mottola. At the MTV Video Music Awards, she paired a bra top with a high-waisted slit skirt and open-toe heels.
VH1 Divas, 2000
Mariah Carey at VH1 Divas in 2000.
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Perhaps Carey’s most memorable look is her Emanuel Ungaro butterfly top. She paired the beaded halter, which came from the designer’s spring 2000 collection, with low-rise jeans featuring a raw hem waistline.
Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar Party, 2016
Mariah Carey at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar Party in 2016.
Getty Images for EJAF
Carey wore a one-shoulder Brandon Maxwell gown with bedazzled pumps and fishnet stockings at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar Party in 2016.
Variety’s Power of Women, 2019
Mariah Carey attends Variety’s Power of Women in 2019.
Photo by Katie Jones for Variety
At Variety’s Power of Women event in 2019, Carey wore a plunging glittery black gown from Philipp Plein’s fall 2019 collection.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2022
Mariah Carey performs at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2022.
Cara Howe/NBC via Getty Images
Carey wore a custom Christian Siriano gown to perform at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2022. Her pink frock, which she paired with a tiara, featured draped tulle and a mermaid silhouette.
Grammy Awards, 2024
Mariah Carey at the 2024 Grammy Awards.
WireImage
Carey wore Laura Basci couture for her surprise appearance at the 2024 Grammys, where she presented Miley Cyrus with her first-ever award for Best Pop Solo Performance. Carey’s golden gown featured a plunging neckline and a sultry thigh-high slit.
