Rihanna returns as Mother Nature in the fourth installment of her annual Savage X Fenty show, now streaming on Amazon Prime since Nov. 9. With performers and artists sporting her new ready-to-wear lingerie collection, the seductive and alluring fashion presentation commercially merges the creative worlds of fashion, music and dance.
From the shadows and smoke, Rihanna channeled the persona of Mother Nature for her collection by emerging in a blue corset top with magenta floral pieces over a black lace bra. To complete the look, the bombshell strutted the runway with a voluminous, tulle shawl. Bouncing to A$AP Rocky’s “D.M.B,” Rihanna delivered a hypnotic performance with her snake-like, sultry movements that immediately captured our attention as she moved around above a crowd of frantically dancing performers. The “Lift Me Up” singer confidently embodied this mature and empowered persona as she embraced her new title as a mother after recently welcoming her newborn baby in May with A$AP Rocky.
This particular show featured an ominous and eerie set as the performers and models commanded the stage under a vibrant haze of purples and blues. Apart from previous shows that featured more futuristic architecture and urban set designs, there’s a more raw and stripped-down approach with this year’s show — the mystical forest landscape carried a much darker and grounded tone with a distinct color palette that captured the essence of a twilight sky. The set’s use of mood lighting enhanced each performance and showcased Rihanna’s new lingerie collection with hues and fluorescents that complimented the textures of each garment.
This year’s collection consists of chic, fashionable nightwear that incorporates an earthy yet minimalist design. The pieces drew heavy inspiration from nature with its blend of textured silks, satins and leathers — serving an ode to Mother Earth herself. From bralettes with floral prints to structural leather bustiers, this ready-to-wear collection rides the fine lines of comfortable lingerie and futuristic fashion.
Pushing the commercial aspect of the show, the Amazon Prime video employs a navigational tool as a shopping mechanic where viewers can scroll to the side and find an “x-ray” of the scene with hyperlinks to the exact clothing piece.
The show consisted of talented male and female backup dancers who performed songs like “Element” by Kendrick Lamar or “Just a Little Bit” by 50 Cent. Their high-energy performances brought life to the show as the shirtless dancers and performers in catsuits in flamboyant, Euphoria-like, glittery eye makeup twirled and swayed to a seamless blend of graceful interpretive dancing with the more trendy, saucy choreography of street dancing.
The music also featured live singing from artists like Don Toliver and Burna Boy. Near the beginning of the show, Brazilian singer Anitta merged music with fashion in a skin-tight bondage bodysuit with leather straps and a dark sequin bra. Winning the hearts of many viewers, the diva delivered one of the most memorable performances of the night with her live vocals to her track “Practice” from her album of “Versions of Me.”
Since their first debut, the Savage X Fenty shows have been well-known and applauded for their inclusive casting. The television runway shows have become an annual tradition for Rihanna’s team and her brand to celebrate artists of all shapes, sizes, colors, ages and gender. Although the shows typically run for 40 minutes, the extensive and diverse casting, including drag queens from “Rupaul’s Drag Race,” is a remarkably progressive feat in the fashion and music industry.
From internet celebrities to Hollywood actors, this year’s impressive cast also included well-known figures from a variety of different platforms and industries: Simu Liu, Rickey Thompson, Bella Poarch, Marsai Martin, Kornbread Jeté, Cara Delevingne, Taraji P. Henson, Lilly Singh, Taylour Paige, Sheryl Lee Ralph and more.
However, many fans were taken by surprise when Johnny Depp made a celebrity cameo in the second act of the show. After the controversial defamation trial between him and his ex-wife Amber Heard, his unexpected appearance stirred divisive reception from viewers. Unfortunately, Depp stood out like a lost deer in the headlights among the lineup of confident performers. In a drapey, monochromatic outfit with dark earthy tones, the actor aimlessly walks around until he awkwardly embraces a tree.
Despite all the controversy, the erotic, raunchy show felt like a good fever dream, mixed with slower, soulful performances from artists like Maxwell. This Savage X Fenty undoubtedly continues to push its message to its audiences through a creatively experimental exhibition.
Confidence, sexual liberation and empowerment are just a few of the many themes that this show celebrates. Once again, the star-studded show this year is unforgettable for its mix of electrifying music performances with the marketing aspect of her new size-inclusive ready-to-wear lingerie line.
“I love seeing new bodies, new silhouettes, new personalities, new characters, new energies,” Rihanna told Women’s Health. “I just enjoy seeing people celebrate their body, celebrate who they are — and they just happen to be wearing Savage. That’s exciting.”
Raymond Dinh is an Arts & Entertainment Intern for the fall 2022 quarter. He can be reached at raymontd@uci.edu.
