Liz Black When people typically think of a lingerie show their mind wanders to thoughts of Victoria’s Secret; homogeneous runways filled with lithe clones wearing wings (and often culturally-appropriative costumes). Thankfully Rihanna, with her lingerie brand, is here to change all of that with her most recent Savage x Fenty New York Fashion Week show.
Held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn under intense secrecy (seriously, everyone had to have their phone locked away before entering), the Savage x Fenty show was everything Victoria’s Secret is not. Rihanna opened the show in a sheer bodysuit, while bodies of all shapes and sizes strutted across the stage.
Talented dancers decked out in Savage x Fenty gyrated as models and celebrities like Laverne Cox, Bella Hadid, Paloma Elsesser, Normai, Gigi Hadid, Aquaria, Joan Smalls, and Cara Delevingne posed in momentary vignettes across the dramatic set.
Savage x Fenty is everything Victoria’s Secret is not.
Although standing isn’t typically where you’d want to be at a fashion show, Rihanna even flipped the script on that, putting standing directly at the front, giving us an unobstructed view of everything. We boogied alongside the dancers, as their energy was absolutely infectious. Their strength and grace was accented by the lingerie designs; gorgeous jewel tones mixed with a rainbow of nude hues, racy and sexy but worn by such diverse beauty that you couldn’t help but feel empowered.
The message was clear; if I couldn’t have their moves, then I could at least feel as good in the lingerie.
(Especially since Savage x Fenty offers size XS-3X and has expanded their bra sizes to 32A-42H.)
Accompanying the bevy of beautiful models and dancers were some of the hottest performers, like Halsey, Migos, Big Sean, Fat Joe, Fabolous, DJ Khaled, A$AP Ferg, & Tierra Whack.
The experience was electrifying, and I knew I wasn’t the only one who left that night feeling sartorially high.
“After a long and busy fashion week with far too little body diversity on the official runways, ending with the vibrant energy and non-tokenizing inclusion at Savage x Fenty was a much-needed breath of fresh air,” mused blogger Sarah Chiwaya. “I loved seeing the plus models and dancers absolutely killing it, and I left feeling happy and energized.”
“The show was everything I need to confirm that this is the route we are continuing in the fashion/beauty world,” said plus size model Alexis Henry. “I stood front row, a few feet away from this queen, and the energy was unlike anything I’ve seen. Everything we learned about what society deems beautiful was all unpacked that night.
This show was the true meaning of celebrating your diversity. Big women, short women, black women, women with disabilities…it was amazing and I’m still honored to have been in the presence of something so revolutionary. Rihanna, she’s a trailblazer and what she’s doing will change the scope for the next wave of fashion designers.”
Make sure you tune in to Amazon Prime video on Friday the 20th of September, to see the entire show (and see if you spot some familiar faces in the crowd).
Tell us in the comments below what you think of how Rihanna is changing the lingerie industry and what performance you’re most excited to watch!
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