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Rihanna goes nearly nude at CFDA Awards

There's a reason Rihanna received fashion's highest honor Monday night: The woman is not afraid to take risks.Case in point: the see-through dress she chose for the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America awards, where she was honored as 2014's Fashion Icon.We won't show it here, but suffice it to say, the extremely sheer gown's frontal view (by designer Adam Selman) left little to the
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 02:  (EDITORS NOTE: Image contains partial nudity.) Fashion Icon award recipient Rihanna attends the winners walk during the 2014 ...
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 02: (EDITORS NOTE: Image contains partial nudity.) Fashion Icon award recipient Rihanna attends the winners walk during the 2014 CFDA fashion awards at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on June 2, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)Larry Busacca / Getty Images
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There's a reason Rihanna received fashion's highest honor Monday night: The woman is not afraid to take risks.

Case in point: the see-through dress she chose for the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America awards, where she was honored as 2014's Fashion Icon.

Rihanna speaks onstage at the 2014 CFDA fashion awards in New York City Monday night.
\"I can compensate for all my weaknesses with my fashion,\" Rihanna said onstage at the 2014 CFDA awards in New York City Monday night.D Dipasupil / Today

We won't show it here, but suffice it to say, the extremely sheer gown's frontal view (by designer Adam Selman) left little to the imagination. The shimmering star accessorized with 200,000 crystals, gloves, a thong and a strategically placed pink fur stole.

Watch the anchors react to Rihanna's dress 

Rihanna poses with her award in one of the few photos that we can post here.
Rihanna poses with her award in one of the few photos that we can post here.Evan Agostini / Today

Previous Fashion Icon award winners, who are voted on by members of the fashion-industry community, have included other celebs who like to push fashion's limits, including Johnny Depp, Lady Gaga, Iman, Kate Moss, Sarah Jessica Parker and Nicole Kidman. 

Rihanna dared to bare at Monday night's event in NYC.
Rihanna dared to bare at Monday night's event in NYC.Today

"Fashion is just a world of thrills. It's exciting. There's no rules," Rihanna said after happily accepting her stylish statuette from fashion arbiter and Vogue editor Anna Wintour. "Fashion should never be frustrating. It should be fun!"

The rise of Rihanna

Slideshow  51 photos

The rise of Rihanna

The award-winning singer and style icon is a force in pop music.

Every year, the industry gathers to honor designers, celebs and other stylish folks. On Monday night, a steady stream of celebs arrived at New York City's Lincoln Center, dressed in their designer finest. 

Blake Lively in Michael Kors.
Blake Lively in Michael Kors.Dimitrios Kambouris / Today


Solange Knowles attends the 2014 Council of Designers of America Awards (CFDA) at Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center June 2, 2014 in New York City...
Solange Knowles in Calvin Klein.TIMOTHY A. CLARY / Today
Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen won the Accessories Designer of the Year award.
Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen won the Accessories Designer of the Year award.Evan Agostini / Today
Keri Russell in Rosie Assoulin.
Keri Russell in Rosie Assoulin.Mike Coppola / Today
Lupita Nyong'o wears a Suno jumpsuit.
Lupita Nyong'o wears a Suno jumpsuit.Randy Brooke / Today
Heidi Klum in Donna Karan.
Heidi Klum in Donna Karan.Dimitrios Kambouris / Today
New mom Olivia Wilde in Decades L.A.
New mom Olivia Wilde in Decades L.A.Dimitrios Kambouris / Today
Busy Philipps in Honor.
Busy Philipps in Honor.Dimitrios Kambouris / Today
Jennifer Hudson in KaufmanFranco.
Jennifer Hudson in KaufmanFranco.Randy Brooke / Today
Emmy Rossum in J Mendel.
Emmy Rossum in J Mendel.Larry Busacca / Today