7 of Shakira’s most iconic outfits
Shakira is the “Queen of Latin Music.” The Columbian singer rose to fame in the Hispanic world in the mid-90s before being catapulted to international pop stardom with her English-language debut, Laundry Service, and mega single “Whenever, Wherever”.
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Since, Shakira has become one of the best-selling music artists of all time, selling tens of millions of records in both Spanish and English. A true musical chameleon (or a self-proclaimed “fusion” artist), Shakira’s artistry spans genres and cultural influences. Her legion of chart-topping singles run the gamut of rock ‘n’ roll and tango (“Objection (Tango)”), reggaeton and dancehall (“La Tortura”), and even electropop (“She Wolf”).
Shakira’s style is just as singular as her genre-bending oeuvre (and that voice!) At the turn of the millennium, the singer was serving up Latin, rock-inflected boho in fringed crop tops, shredded lace gowns, and, of course, her signature lace-up low-riders. Today, she continues to be a pop music fashion plate, whether she’s fronting Burberry campaigns, wearing revenge dresses at Cannes Film Festival, or turning statement-making looks from PFW’s front row. In honour of the singer winning this year’s Video Vanguard Award at the VMAs, we take a trip down memory lane to bring you a selection of her most iconic outfits from the early 00s.
At the Grammys, 2001
In 2001 — before the release of Laundry Service — Shakira made her US breakthrough on MTV Unplugged. The set included songs from best-selling albums Pies Descalzos and Dónde Están los Ladrones?, and was the first Unplugged concert performed exclusively in Spanish. Not only did the resulting live album break records, it earned the singer a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album.
At the Laundry Service release party, 2001
After making her international breakthrough with her MTV Unplugged album, Shakira went all in with her English-language debut Laundry Service. The album spawned a number of world chart-topping singles including “Underneath Your Clothes”, “Objective (Tango)”, and the eternal hit “Whenever, Wherever”. Here, Shakira arrives at the album’s release party with her signature boho-rock fare: a purple slip, fishnets, and a studded belt.
“Whenever, Wherever”, 2001
“Whenever, Wherever” catapulted Shakira to international mega stardom. We all know the lyrics (“Lucky that my breasts are small and humble / So you don’t confuse them with mountains.”) And we all know the iconic music video: Shakira shimmying and shaking through the desert, down in the mud, and on top of a mountain in a laser-cut leather bralette and those lace-up low-riders.
At Madison Square Garden, 2001
This look is just peak Laundry Service-era Shakira, from the unʙuттoned bustier, studded cuffs and heavy crucifix, to the cut-out pants and black hair extensions. All the elements are there and they’re all Y2K perfection.
Performing at The Tour of the Mongoose, 2003
Following the smash success of Laundry Service, Shakira embarked on her first global tour тιтled The Tour of the Mongoose. Why “mongoose”, you ask? “The mongoose is basically one of the few animals who can defeat the most venomous snakes with just one bite,” Shakira told MTV in 2003. “And that’s why I decided to name my tour that way, because I think that if we all have a little mongoose inside that can defeat the hatred and the resentment and the prejudice of everyday, we can probably win the battle.” The tour spawned a number of iconic looks including lots of leather and lace, and this elaborate candelabra headpiece.
At the Latin Grammys, 2003
Another quintessentially Y2K look from Shakira. At the 2003 Latin Grammys, the singer leaned further into her boho side with shredded denim, a sweet floral top, and a pink fur stole.
At the Grammys, 2007
Shakira loves a midriff moment. And it probably has much to do with her love of belly-dancing. Ever since “Whenever, Wherever” hit TV screens, the star’s been as famous for her yodeling contralto as her swiveling hips. (They don’t lie, after all!) Shakira’s signature dance style merges Latin dancing with Middle Eastern belly dancing, the latter of which is taken from her Lebanese heritage. Here, Shakira performs “Hips Don’t Lie” wearing a moulded bustier and gold hip-huggers that show off her famed moves obsessed the world over.
