RIYADH — Cardi B marked her first performance in Saudi Arabia wearing custom Gaurav Gupta Couture, bringing the designer’s sculptural vision to one of the Middle East’s largest music festivals and capping a visit that saw the rapper fully embrace the Kingdom, even declaring on Instagram Live that she didn’t want to leave.
The Grammy-winning artist closed out MDLBeast Soundstorm 2025 in Riyadh in the early hours of Sunday morning in a neon pink ensemble that threaded Indian craft traditions through a silhouette designed specifically for the occasion’s cultural context. Her arrival days earlier had already generated significant buzz. She posted an Instagram video in a black abaya-style gown with the caption “Hello Saudi Arabia… Halal B has arrived,” earning over 1.3 million likes.
The custom look for her debut performance in the Kingdom deftly navigated the demands of performing in the conservative country while maintaining her unapologetically bold aesthetic. The sculpted hooded bodysuit in stretch jersey was adorned with cascading ghungroos — traditional Indian metallic bells — and crystal embellishments that traced the body’s contours. A voluminous cape in layered waves completed the silhouette, secured by the house’s signature winged panther brooch. The boots were built directly into the catsuit, creating an unbroken line from hood to toe.
“Kollin approached us a couple months ago because we have had multiple collaborations with Cardi, going back to 2022 and her Grammy dress from 2023,” Gaurav Gupta told WWD, referring to the artist’s longtime stylist Kollin Carter. “We wanted to do something that is quite modest, but also bold and really represents her.”
A sketch of the look for Cardi B’s performance in Riyadh by Gaurav Gupta.
The designer incorporated multiple references to Indian craft traditions beyond the ghungroos. “We did a hint of sari drape in the same flowy jersey which had the panther broach holding it,” he said.
The placement was handled by Hema Bose of Maison Bose, the luxury consultancy that has built Gaurav Gupta’s international celebrity profile through placements on Shakira, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Adele, and Cardi B’s previous appearances in the label. “Cardi is fearless, larger than life, and completely unapologetic, and Gaurav’s designs carry that same sense of scale, drama and emotional volume,” Bose said of the ongoing partnership.
For Gupta, seeing the garment in performance validated the collaboration. “The outfit really takes a life of its own when the performer wears it,” he said. “I was really thrilled to see her perform and bring that magic to Saudi Arabia and that we could be a part of that moment.”
The making of Cardi B’s look in designer Gaurav Gupta’s atelier.
Bose shared there were last-minute adjustments. “With stage looks, there are always moments that require instinctive pivots — movement, performance energy and practicality can shift things dramatically. During the initial fittings on the day of the performance, the hood was designed as a more complex structure, almost merging a shoulder piece and head element into one. However, once Cardi began rehearsing and fully performing, it became clear that the original placement wouldn’t allow the freedom of movement she needed. So, in true backstage fashion, we rethought and re-engineered the hood at the last minute. Those moments of real-time problem-solving are often what elevate a piece.”
On stage, Cardi delivered an 80-minute set that drew from both her earlier catalog and her chart-topping sophomore album “Am I the Drama?” She greeted the crowd with “As-salamu alaykum!” and told the audience: “Thank you for having me in your country. Everything is mashallah.”
The rapper’s enthusiasm for the Kingdom was effusive throughout her stay. On Instagram Live, she praised Saudi hospitality. “The people over here is hip, honey. They are very polite. They don’t look at you like you’re poor.” She called the country “luxurious” and was spotted shopping at Riyadh’s Solitaire Mall in her abaya.
