#TBT: When Rihanna’s dress sense inspired mouthwatering memes

10 Dec 2015

Rihanna attends 'China: Through The Looking Glass' Costume Institute Gala, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Photo by Eastfjord Productions via Shutterstock

Many an internet comment was passed on the gúnas from Met Gala 2015, but none satisfied the internet’s hunger for fun quite like Rihanna’s.

The 2015 Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute gala – otherwise known as the Met Gala – took place in New York in early May.

There was much in the way of fabulous fashion, including a near-naked appearance by Beyoncé in a Givenchy gown that would probably have stolen the show – if not for Rihanna’s egg-cellent choice of red-carpet attire.

The theme was ‘China: Through the looking glass’, prompting pop star Rihanna to track down an incredibly elaborate imperial yellow dress from Chinese haute couture designer Guo Pei.

It took two years to stitch and sew Rihanna’s flowing fur-trimmed frock, which comes from a royalty-inspired collection.

There’s no accounting for taste, though, and foodie memes were the order of the day after Rihanna was spotted at the ball, with most meme-makers’ mouths watering for pizza.

Domino’s UK spied a perfect marketing opportunity.

Of course, you can’t make an omelette without cracking a few eggs, amirite?

#Rihanna

A photo posted by Esber Nieves (@esoniz_82) on

You could even cook with the assistance of other Met Gala guests.

??? more #METBALL for you guys xx I knoooow I’m super late on this #MARFAJOURNAL

A photo posted by MARFA JOURNAL (@marfajournal) on

Apart from food, Rihanna’s gown drew comparisons with even more random images.

Like the flames of Mount Doom.

The road to Oz.

follow the yellow brick road

A photo posted by Splurt Zillionz (@splurt) on

And Big Bird.

Rihanna Met Gala memes

Rihanna dress Met Gala

Thankfully, designer Guo Pei was delighted to see the dress garner so much online attention. She later told NY Magazine’s The Cut at a dinner, “I think it’s really cute! I’m very happy. This dress is very important – if people find this dress interesting and funny, I think it’s great.

“Rihanna is wearing this dress for entertainment – not for a fashion show.”

And entertain she did.

Personally, I think Ri-Ri was the Belle of the ball.

Rihanna dress memes

Keep watching Siliconrepublic.com as we look back on the greatest memes of 2015. Let us know your favourite at @siliconrepublic on Twitter.

Main Rihanna image via Eastfjord Productions/Shutterstock

Elaine Burke is the host of For Tech’s Sake, a co-production from Silicon Republic and The HeadStuff Podcast Network. She was previously the editor of Silicon Republic.

editorial@siliconrepublic.com