Nicki Minaj is known for her wacky wigs and over-the-top outfits.
In the November issue of W, the hip-hop ingenue is transformed by Franceso Vezzoli into four 18th-Century courtesan's. The result is well ... bizarre yet beautiful. Check out the photos below:
"I wanted to play with the publicimage of a female hip-hop star. During my entire career, I have alwaysbeen fascinated by powerful women in history," Vezzoli tells W. "I thought ofcomparing her to some of the most famous courtesans in history: theMarquise de Montespan, Comtesse du Barry, Madame de Pompadour, andMadame Rimsky-Korsakov."
For more of Minaj's photos and interview, click here or pick up W's sixth annual Art issue, on newsstands now.