MUMBAI: Pop super star Rihanna has never been one to shy away from surprising or even shocking her fans. And that is exactly what the Barbadian singer went for at the 2014 Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards (CFDA). Rihanna who was presented with the Fashion Icon of the Year award, wowed and pretty much shocked the crowd in a see through gown.

The sheer gown that the ‘Diamonds' singer wore was a customised creation by Adam Selman. Encrusted with about 216,000 Swarovski crystals, the outfit left nothing to the imagination and showed off all of the singer's tattoos. She teamed the fishnet dress with a matching headscarf and gloves, while wrapping a fur piece around her.

Presenting the fashion honour to the 26 year old, was Vogue Editor in chief- Anna Wintour who offered her praise stating, "Incredible style can help take a talented young woman from a small island to the world stage, and along the way spark a lot of conversation about elegance and empowerment. The point is to be audacious, even jaw dropping or button pushing - and yes we know she enjoys pushing buttons - while remaining true to yourself."

While accepting the award, Rihanna called fashion a "defence mechanism" although she did not have a lot of access to it while growing up. "Fashion should never be frustrating, it should be fun. I can compensate for all of my weaknesses with fashion."