It’s no secret that the late fashion icon Andre Leon Talley and Rihanna have a ton of love for each other and Rihanna paid homage to her friend in the most stylish way ever.
According to Page Six the superstar also used her performance to pay tribute to late Vogue legend André Leon Talley, who died in January 2022 at the age of 73.
While launching into her smash hit “Umbrella” toward the end of her set, the Bad Gal slipped on a floor-sweeping red leather Alaïa puffer that bore a striking resemblance to Talley’s signature scarlet Norma Kamali sleeping bag coat.
Talley’s official Instagram page marked the moment by posting photos of the likeminded looks, along with some choice “Umbrella” lyrics: “When the sun shines, we’ll shine together. Told you I’ll be here forever… said I’ll always be your friend.”
Friends and fans of the two style stars applauded the sartorial salute in the comments, with stylist June Ambrose writing, “This was a beautiful tribute,” and writer Mara Brock Akil adding, “I knew it! And loved it! Loved that she met Andre in the sky like the diamond he is!”
“He would’ve been so proud tonight!” commented actor Angie Harmon, while “Southern Charm” star Patricia Altschul chimed in with, “He will be missed by so many of us who loved him… Rihanna’s tribute made me teary.”
The “Diamonds” hitmaker and the “Chiffon Trenches” author were longtime friends; their rapport was evident in their many Met Gala red carpet interview over the years, and Rihanna’s unforgettable yellow Guo Pei look from the 2015 event even brought Talley to tears.
“I love a girl from humble beginnings who becomes a big star,” the editor said at the time, in footage captured for the 2016 Met Gala documentary, “The First Monday in May.”
“It’s like the American dream. That’s the way you do it.”
On Twitter:
The ALT page said Rihanna’s look was a tribute to the iconic Andre Leon Talley and his red Norma Kamali sleeping bag coat. They were very close. He said her MET GALA moment with the canary yellow Guo Pei couture gown was his proudest moment. Now I’m in tears. ❤️ ? pic.twitter.com/CJNx76E4ST
— Eric Darnell Pritchard (@EricDarnell) February 13, 2023
and
Durham's André Leon Talley with Rihanna pic.twitter.com/GuGHnn6ODd
— Discover Durham (@DurhamNC) February 13, 2023
and
Rihanna pays tribute to Andre Leon Talley during Super Bowl Halftime performance! #FentyBowl #Rihanna #andreleontalley #BlackHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/6iNkX8jNw3
— K E M P I R E ? (@TheKempire) February 13, 2023
and
"Create your own universe. And share it with people you respect and love."
– André Leon Talley ??♥️?️ #Rihanna #SuperBowl #blkcreatives
pics: https://t.co/HozTgDyp6Y pic.twitter.com/E6J0lwaLOr
— #blkcreatives netwrk? (@blkcreatives) February 13, 2023
and
I loved Rihanna’s Super Bowl homage to the late great Andre Leon Talley. #Rihanna pic.twitter.com/2Y1hprKvnN
— DRR (@DiggsWayne) February 13, 2023
Rihanna ended her #SuperBowl halftime show with a tribute to Andre Leon Talley’s red Norma Kamali coat. I immediately thought that was Andre’s coat and got chills. That’s a beautiful moment ♥️ #FentyBowl pic.twitter.com/0PPMfQNYjI
— BLACK TRANS LIVES MATTER ✊?? (@MindofMendoza) February 13, 2023
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