Cardi B on Her Second Fashion Nova Collection and Life Lessons She Wants to Teach Kulture
It's been 36 hours since Cardi B appeared at the Met Gala in essentially a couture vagina, and she's already flashing to another iconic look. This one's lilac and slick, and unlike her Thom Browne couture piece, you can actually buy it starting tonight.
The 'fit comes from her second Fashion Nova collection, which launched online at midnight EST and includes 107 pieces for every Instagram thirst trap imaginable.
Cardi B's press release says the range "is inspired by '80s and '90s influences, balanced with themes of empowerment and rebellion... The collection has an overarching sexiness to create a new urban subculture all its own."
But what does the Billboard conquerer say about it herself? We called her to find out...
Cardi B launching her first Fashion Nova collection last year.
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You're famous for making hits out of everything. What's the new Fashion Nova piece that's going to sell out first?
I’m not sure what’s gonna be the biggest hit yet, because everything looks so good! And something I learned from doing the last collection is that everyone has different tastes. But this time around, the clothes are going to be a little more sexy. You’re going to see a lot of skin. A lot of cleavage. But yet it’s so pretty and so elegant. I made sure it was sexy but also beautiful.
I love your style, but I'm afraid to look sexy! I'm kind of shy.
Are you really? No....
I'm scared of my boobs. What's your advice for women who need a little push into sex bomb territory?
I mean, you don’t have to show skin to be sexy! You can stay covered up, but you have to wear something that’s flattering your body, you know what I’m saying? Sometimes I don’t even show my whole body, and still I know it's a very sexy look. It has to do with flattery and the way you do your face and hair to go with the look. You don’t gotta be sexy by showing everything. You do it by understanding your body shape, and what you want to show off. And make sure you got the right accessories! You gotta commit to the full look.
Any chance looking sexy includes flats?
Ehhh... the truth is, heels is always gonna be sexier. They contour your body way better. They make your legs look prettier. They put your butt higher. Heels exist for a reason, you know? You gotta make them a part of your life.
Winning in heels at the Billboard Music Awards
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When did you get heels in your life?
I used to always play with my mom's heels when I was younger. I'd put them on and wear them around the house, even when they were huge on me. I'd beg her to buy me pairs of kiddie heels. It's always been my thing. I feel like I tried wearing heels the second I could walk.
Will you let your daughter Kulture wear heels if she asks?
I think I'll do the same thing my mom did for me—like, she can wear them, but only around the house. That's the rule; the heels stay inside the house.
What else do you want to teach her about fashion?
The first lesson I want her to know is don’t be too extra. Less is more, you know? Elegance takes it all, every time. You can never go wrong with elegance. I want her to learn that the most.
Winning in Thom Browne at the Met Gala 2019
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Your Met Gala look was very elegant. Does its designer, Thom Browne, know you design for Fashion Nova? Has he seen any of your pieces?
Thank you! You know, Thom Browne, my friend told me he’s a Libra. And that's why he's very shy! I really didn't want to interrupt him during [Met Gala fittings] because it was such an intense amount of work, you know? So I'm not sure he knows I have a [Fashion Nova] collection, but he knows my body shape exactly. [Laughing.]
And you wore half a million dollar ruby nipples. Did they make it home safely at the end of the night?
They go back to Stefere [jewelers], unless Thom Browne wanted to keep them - I don't know!
Your first film, Hustlers, comes out this Fall. Do you get to wear Fashion Nova in it?
No, I had to wear straight-up stripper outfits for it—all of us did! I didn't get to wear anything that nice. But you know, it turned out that I only got to be in the movie for one day of shooting, because my schedule is so crazy overbooked. My life right now? It's crazy. And on the day I shot Hustlers, I performed and then I had to take a flight straight to Iowa. And then tonight, like right after this? I fly to L.A. My body is so tired right now, it can't do anything.
I don't know, it's doing a pretty awesome interview...
And then it's going to rest for a minute.
Shop Cardi B's second Fashion Nova collection at midnight EST tonight.
Faran Krentcil Editor at Large, ELLE.com "Her beauty and her brain go not together." —William Shakespeare