Mariah Carey at the Butler premiere in New York
Mariah Carey is known for a few things, many of which she’s carried with her for her 20-plus year career: big hair, butterflies, tank dresses and that eight-octave voice. The diva has never been at the forefront of high fashion — although she’s worn some of the world’s biggest designers, such as Valentino (Oscars, 2010), custom Hervé Léger (Angels Advocate Tour, 2009-10), crocheted Roberto Cavalli (coming off a yacht in Australia, 2013) and a skimpy monogrammed Vuitton bathing suit (Say Somethin’ music video,2006).
More recently, however, the singer and ex-American Idol judge has been making a bigger statement by sporting custom-made arm slings to events, concerts and more after she dislocated her shoulder filming a music video for the remix of her summer hit, #Beautiful. Never one to miss an opportunity to accessorize, Carey’s worn at least five different slings to cradle her arm, each and every one perfectly coordinated to her outfits. The show must go on, after all.
Mariah Carey performs at the MLB Charity Concert in Central Park
Carey’s first couture cast carrier was seen in mid-July during her performance at the MLB Charity Concert in New York City. She opened the show, which included backup provided by the New York Philharmonic (only the best for the one of the biggest selling female artists of all time), in a beaded white gown and had an arm sling that was bedazzled to match the design on her dress. Later, she switched to a fur sling and then she finished the show with a costume, ahem…ensemble, change and an iridescent black feathered sling. While some critics seemed to think that Mariah needed a 5150 and a reality check, many of her fans applauded her for taking her injury and transforming it into something much more glamorous.
Mariah Carey performs at the MLB Charity Concert in Central Park
Mariah Carey performs at the MLB Charity Concert in Central Park
Carey was also spotted in a lace sling (heaven forbid she repeat outfits, much less her customized slings) that matched her lace heels. Also of note is the fact that no matter what the outfit was, each and every one maintained classic Carey signatures: a skin-skimming silhouette, deep décolletage and plenty of glamour. Her husband, Nick Cannon, tweeted that the singer was recovering from not only a dislocated shoulder, but also bruised ribs and nerve damage.
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey at the Butler premiere in New York
And more recently, the couple attended the New York premiere of Lee Daniel’s The Butler (Oprah was also in attendance), where Mariah paired classic Valentino heels with a rocked out version of her sling. Leather accented with pyramid studs not only gave her all-black outfit some much needed texture, it was the perfect contrast to the ladylike lace of her heels and the simplicity of her Tom Ford cocktail dress. We’re giving this diva a round of applause for perseverance, because even when faced with something as decidedly un-glam as a dislocated shoulder and transforming it into some of 2013’s most unforgettable fashion moments.
Images courtesy Getty.
