Rihanna and Drake have captivated fans for years—not just with their music but also with their undeniable on-screen chemistry. While their relationship has sparked plenty of speculation, their fashion and style choices have been just as attention-grabbing.
A perfect example? Rihanna’s bold fashion statement in the Work music video released in February 2016. Even in the teaser, her eye-catching ensemble and electrifying energy had fans buzzing.
The First Meeting: Rihanna and Drake’s Origins
Before Rihanna and Drake’s on-screen chemistry in “Work” had fans buzzing, their connection started years earlier. Their first meeting happened in an unexpected place—while filming Rihanna’s breakout hit, “Pon de Replay,” in a Toronto restaurant called Avocado. At the time, Rihanna was only 17.
“In the video, she has a blue dress on and it’s a solo cutaway performance shot,” the Canadian rapper told Vulture.
The music video for Rihanna’s “Pon de Replay” was directed by Little X and filmed in Toronto
“We shot that at the end of the night. And when I saw her dancing on her own, I was like, ‘Oh s**t, we made the wrong video.’,” he added.
“She had this ‘my performance carries the video’ type vibe. That’s when I saw it in her. She’s got something, she’s rocking this.”
A Closer Look at Rihanna’s Stunning Footwear
Beyond the undeniable chemistry between Rihanna and Drake, one detail stood out—Rihanna’s bold fashion choices. And no look was more unforgettable than her shimmering gold knee-high sandal boots. Let’s take a closer look at the footwear that stole the show in “Work.”
Rihanna twerks on all fours on the floor in a net dress and gold knee-high sandal boots
The clip may be only 30 seconds long, but it was enough for us to appreciate the fab gold knee-high sandals Ri was wearing.
She generously gave us full views of her shoes in the part where she danced, twirled, and got on all fours in front of a mirror.
Rihanna dances in front of a mirror in the music video for her song “Work”
Thanks to Ri’s rasta-colored see-through net mesh dress, we quickly identified her shoes as Giuseppe Zanotti creations. Featuring metallic leather, intricate cut-out designs, and an open-toe silhouette, her sandals exude luxury while elongating the legs.
Ri seems to love gladiator boots; check out Balenciaga’s gladiator boots below and the Tom Ford gladiator sandals boots we previously spotted on her.
Giuseppe Zanotti’s gold knee-high gladiator sandals, priced at $1,295, are a striking mix of elegance and edge
Rihanna isn’t the only celebrity who has embraced the gladiator boot trend. From Lindsay Lohan to Mary-Kate Olsen, knee-high gladiator boots have been a bold fashion statement for years. But are they a must-have or too over-the-top? Let’s dive into how this trend has evolved.
Rihanna let her Balenciaga gladiator sandals do the talking by pairing them with an all-black short suit.
Rihanna’s all-black short suit perfectly complements her bold Balenciaga gladiator sandals during a taping of BET’s 106 and Park in New York City on June 18, 2008 (Credit: WENN / Anthony Dixon / Crollalanza / Beiny / Julie Ramos)
Rihanna in striking $2,000 Balenciaga gladiator heels featuring bold cutouts and intricate lace-up detailing
Gladiator Sandals: A Timeless Trend That Keeps Evolving
Gladiator sandals have long been a staple in fashion, seamlessly blending historical inspiration with modern design. For instance, the handcrafted ‘Penny Lane’ gladiator sandals by Elina Linardaki are drawn from the psychedelic era and feature vibrant pom-poms and semi-precious stones.
Lindsay Lohan stuns in a little black dress with knee-high Azzedine Alaia lace-up gladiator boots in SoHo, August 19, 2009 (Credit: WENN / Anthony Dixon / Crollalanza / Beiny / Julie Ramos)
Celebrities have also embraced this trend; Rita Ora was spotted in Jimmy Choo’s ‘Mogul’ cage gladiator boots, adding a bold edge to her ensemble.
Mary-Kate Olsen rocks unique gladiator-style Chanel shoes at a Beverly Hills party on September 1, 2007 (Credit: WENN / Anthony Dixon / Crollalanza / Beiny / Julie Ramos)
Want to channel Rihanna’s bold gladiator boot look? Whether you prefer knee-high statement pieces or casual strappy flats, our ultimate gladiator sandal guide will help you find the perfect pair—and style them like a pro.
Ashley Olsen turns heads in Azzedine Alaia knee-high gladiator boots at Hampton Social at Ross in NYC, August 11, 2007 (Credit: WENN / Anthony Dixon / Crollalanza / Beiny / Julie Ramos)
You can watch the full “Work” music video here: