Savage X Fenty: Women are Glorious!
As New York Fashion Week comes to a close for yet another year, I’m left to reflect on the displays of creativity and innovation that the Big Apple had to offer us. Unable to analyse the runways in the flesh, I resorted to watching live streams, Youtube videos and sprawling through various articles and photos on my Instagram feed.
A great year for NYFW, we celebrated Ralph Lauren’s 50th anniversary, and the Australian brand Zimmerman killed it with some heavy 70s nostalgia. We fell in love with the ethereal gowns of Rodarte and NYC’s own, the ever consistent; The Row, gave us business elegance, perfected! And among all this greatness, one show in particular for its drama and inclusivity stole the show. Not even the giant ruffles and trapeze shapes of Marc Jacobs, could have out shined Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty presentation.
Even the greatest of expectations were exceeded at the show, as glistening goddesses of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds danced and frolicked around a lush, forest-like set. Dancers, choreographed by New Zealand’s Parris Goebel, and models alike stomped and posed to an otherworldly beat, totally captivating the in house audience and those live streaming it on YouTube.
“It’s a celebration of womanhood” - Rihanna
Among the Savage x Fenty queens were supermodels Bella and Gigi Hadid, Joan Smalls and fan favourites, Paloma Elsesser and Jazzelle Zanaughtti (aka @uglyworldwide). Rihanna’s muse, Slick Woods, embodied pure strength and femininity, stomped the runway wearing only pasties, panties and an elastic harness whilst in labour! You heard me, she GAVE BIRTH after the show! She captioned a fierce photo of herself from the show; “This is the face of a WOMAN in labor … I’m here to say I CAN DO WHATEVER FUCK I WANT WHENEVER THE FUCK I WANT AND SO CAN YOU."
Slick Woods confirmed she gave birth to a baby boy right after walking Rihanna's Savage x Fenty show during New York Fashion Week. (Source: Harper’s Bazaar)
The models paraded around the Garden of Eden-esque scene in lacy underwear and accessories that shined (bright like a diamond) in jewel tones. The beautifully designed and crafted pieces ranged from infinitely sensual to highly functional, supporting Rihanna’s ‘something-for-everyone’ attitude. Models frolicked around in everything from G-strings, harnesses and bralettes to fur shawls, silky pyjamas and laced bustiers. Proving the supportive and comfortable nature of the pieces, whilst incorporating a heavy dose of Rihanna’s edgy and ‘savage’ attitude.
Rihanna (centre) sandwiched by the Hadid sisters (Left; Bella, Right; Gigi) at her Savage X Fenty lingerie show at NYFW. (Source: South China Morning Post)
After the show, Rihanna herself described it as “mixing the really organic, authentic things of the world and meshing it with what we see in the future or what we hope to see in the future: Women being celebrated in all forms and all body types and all races and all cultures.”
Rihanna to Vogue.com spoke to her distaste of “women hav[ing] to feel insecure or self-conscious about how their bodies look,” because of society’s standards and sexualisation.
Subverting this, her Savage X Fenty show didn’t need to overly hyper sexualise the models, a trap other lingerie based shows have previously fallen into. Rather, they transcended routine objectification, and displayed their strength and beauty through movement, praising both the abilities and the grace of women, rather than their mere physicality.
Watch the show in full here;