( CNN ) -- Rihanna 's presence at Monday 's CFDA Fashion Awards nearly eclipsed the ceremony itself , and she did it while wearing almost nothing at all . The 26-year-old singer arrived at the stylish event , held by the Council of Fashion Designers of America , in a floor-length sparkling gown that recalled the era of Josephine Baker . Custom-made by designer Adam Selman , the mostly backless number shone from more than 230,000 Swarovski crystals and was accented with a baby pink feather boa , gloves and a glittering turban . But it was n't just Rihanna 's effortless 1920s glamour that turned heads . As Selman described to Style.com , `` the dress is just fishnet and crystals and a couple of fingers crossed . '' That left everything that was n't covered by a flesh-colored thong on full display . `` It 's so naked , '' Rihanna 's stylist , Mel Ottenberg , added to Style.com . `` I do n't know if it 's shocking -- I 'm with her all the time , so my shock gauge is off -- but I told her that I thought she was ready for this dress a while ago , and that I was n't . I 'm the prude , and I 'm just catching up . '' Ottenberg may still be getting used to the revealing look , but some observers -- like fashion magazine Vogue -- have heartily approved . `` Rihanna has become the rare celebrity who does not follow fashion -- she affects it , '' the magazine tweeted on Monday . Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour was at the ceremony to present Rihanna with the CFDA 's 2014 Fashion Icon award . `` Fashion should never be frustrating , '' Rihanna said during her acceptance speech . `` It should be fun . ''
Rihanna attended the CFDA Awards in a sparkling , sheer dress . It was custom-designed by Adam Selman . Vogue magazine and some observers have approved . Comment: