Dirty computer, “Dirrty” outfit.
Janelle Monáe took cues from Christina Aguilera at Thursday’s Billboard Women in Music event in NYC, where she arrived wearing a pinstriped gray suit from Gareth Pugh complete with belted chaps-style pants.
Appropriately, the “I Like That” singer, 33, was honored with the evening’s Trailblazer Award for her daring sound and style.
“I’ve discovered the most difficult trail to blaze is the one that takes us inside of who we are, individually and as a whole,” Monáe, who revealed earlier this year that she is pansexual, told the crowd during her acceptance speech. “Being a trailblazer is about diving into spaces unseen and undiscovered, which can be very exciting and frightening at the same time.”
The musician is no stranger to a head-turning pair of trousers: The music video for her song “Pynk” featured “vagina pants” that proved so popular, Monáe said she’s working to have them mass produced.
“I’m trying. I’m so tickled and honored that people are talking about the ‘Pynk’ pants, I think that it’s so cool to have discussions around women’s issues and women’s bodies, I think it’s amazing,” she told People.
Monáe’s “Dirty Computer” is up for Album of the Year at the 2019 Grammy Awards.
See all the best looks from the Billboard Women in Music red carpet:
