In the famous words of Whoopi Goldberg from Ghost: Damn baby, what did you do to your hair?

Rihanna stepped out yesterday in New York City flashing this season’s highly coveted thigh-high boots and less than desirable newly dyed blond hair. Eek!

Rihanna emerged from her chauffeur driven SUV at a New York recording studio looking fierce in a grey v-neck minidress paired with Stella McCartney’s thigh-skimming perforated boots. The $1200 boots are a must-have item for fashionistas this season and have already sold out creating lengthy waiting lists. The legging-look boots, made from faux leather, have dominated fashion weeks in both London and New York. But the fabulosity stopped there as Rihanna’s fashion forward ensemble was overlooked by a frightful head of chunky highlights in a yellowy blonde shade.

Rihanna is known to push the envelope when it comes to her style (exposed nipple rings, nipple pasties) and is often envied for her edgy haircuts which are copied by millions, but now she’s allowed her fierce mane to be destroyed by adding blond highlights. I don’t have to tell you that when very dark hair is highlighted blond the result is a cheap shade of yellow / orange, which is precisely what these highlights look like. I hope she quickly returns to the hair stylist for a single process that will bring her back to her fabulously fierce roots.

Rihanna, 21, is preparing to release her new album and has recruited Justin Timberlake and Chase & Status to produce the record. JT said at the Emmys: ‘In my opinion, she’s got the world in the palm of her hand right now, based on her success with her last record. The stuff we’ve come up with in the studio, it’s the next step for her. It’s a little more grown up. It’s got some edge to it.’

While the follow-up to “Good Girl Gone Bad” is thought to be out early next year, some vendors are claiming a November 23, 2009 drop date.