Rihanna triumphantly returned to the stage this Sunday (12) after five years with the Super Bowl halftime show — a performance that, despite its scarce 13minute pinnacle in American music, is hugely prestigious — and the look chosen conveyed something special for the singer and her fashionista crowd.
The star wore a red Loewe jumpsuit, which was covered with a secondskin breastplate the fixed plate at the level of her breasts with a latex texture, a piece borrowed from designs from Jonathan Anderson’s Fall/Winter 2022 collection for the brand all monochromatic pieces, in a bold red. The brand revealed to The New York Times that the aviators’ uniform was the inspiration.
The color also permeated the details and accessories: her lipstick, sneakers, nails and even the watch strap chosen by Riri. However, a twist on this look also took to the stage during the first half of the presentation, in which the singer debuted a custom quilted scarf with builtin gloves by Alaïa.
Later, she even invented another “puffer” piece a maxi coat that covered her entire silhouette like a duvet also from the same brand. Rihanna has a strong history with Alaïa, who signed another of the singer’s iconic looks during her first pregnancy: the historic cover of “Vogue” North America.
Rihanna, pregnant, wore a sheer lace bodysuit to pose for the cover of American Vogue. Image: Annie Leibovitz/Vogue America
The picture was the first “official” of the pregnant singer, who before this test showed her silhouette only with daring looks in clicks of paparazzi. That she once again chose Alaïa for the moment when her second pregnancy was revealed to the world maintains an interesting symmetry and reveals a powerful partnership in fashion.
Image: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
But the more powerful message behind Rihanna’s Super Bowl look is actually less selfreferential: It’s a tribute to André Leon Talley, the former creative director and legendary fashion editor of Vogue, who died in January 2022.
The red maxi coat was also a Talley trademark, getting a lot of clicks with its model signed by Norma Kamah. Although Rihanna didn’t exactly use the journalist’s piece, which is part of the collection that Christie’s will auction this week and is estimated at around US$500 to US$800 (between R$2,605 and R$4,169), the resemblance is obvious and enthusiastic Viewers.
Rihanna performs in Arizona during halftime of the Super Bowl (Image: Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Talley and Rihanna were longtime friends. The publisher’s official page on Instagram cited an excerpt from “Diamonds,” a song she sang after wearing the piece, as evidence of the friendship between the two. “When the sun shines, we will shine together. Did I tell you I’ll be here forever? said I’ll always be your friend”. (“When the sun shines / We’ll shine together / Said I’d be here forever / And I’d always be your friend”)
I love a girl who has humble beginnings and becomes a big star. It’s the American Dream. This is how it’s done.”
André Leon Talley on Rihanna in The First Monday in May documentary about the 2016 Met Gala.
Celebrities celebrated the honor in the comments. “I knew it! I loved it. I loved that she found André in heaven like the diamond he is,” vibrated writer Mara Brock Akil, citing Rihanna’s performance “in the air.” “He would be so proud tonight,” added actress Angie Harmon.
Jonathan Anderson, the Loewe stylist who signed the first part of her look, was also full of praise for the star of the evening in a press release. “Rihanna is a true icon and working with her to bring these looks to the stage sounds like a crazy and wonderful dream.”