A Look at the Savage x Fenty Menswear Line
Where has it been all our lives?
by STEPHANIE GRATZEL ★ NOVEMBER 29, 2020
It’s been a long road to inclusivity in the fashion world. In the 70s and 80s, John Galliano, Yves Saint Laurent and Jean-Paul Gaultier looked to introduce more people of color to their runways, leading to an overwhelming desire from other designers to do the same. This was a big moment for people of color everywhere, as they have traditionally found themselves excluded from luxury fashion and runway shows. Excuses like “we already have a token Asian/African American girl” or “it’s not our vision” have echoed in the ears of BIPOC models for centuries. Whether it be makeup artists unprepared to work with their skin tones or hairdressers seeing curly or natural hair as too “difficult,” inclusivity has never really found itself in the fashion or modeling industry.
This is especially devastating as designers have been picky about being inclusive, using culture as the themes of their shows, without paying respect to any models of those cultures. Victoria’s Secret, for example, using the vague theme of “Wild Things” in a previous fashion show illustrates this perfectly. The show featured models wearing animal and tribal prints. Additionally, VS model Candice Swanepoel walked a show covered in “tribal” jewelry and tattoos. Mocking the culture of the Maasai tribe of southern Kenya and northern Tanzania through the usage of African American models only shows one example of the picky nature of designers when it’s convenient and “trendy” for them.
Social media has been extremely important in the movement for inclusivity. Models of all backgrounds can gain major media attention, which leads to many helping these models catch the eyes of scouts in the fashion world or significant celebrities who can help promote or connect them. While the fight towards total equity continues, major media stars continue to use their platforms to further push towards an inclusive catwalk.
Rihanna dropped her Savage x Fenty line in 2018, releasing lingerie with body positive, inspiring messages. She looked to include girls everywhere, no matter their shape, size, or the color of their skin. Ri spoke to Elle magazine backstage at her show in 2019, touching on the fact that inclusivity should be obvious, “It’s important, right? You belong in these pieces. You, me, trans women, women of all sizes, paraplegic women, all women are important women! All women belong here, on the biggest platform that I can give them.” Her drop was successful with fun, flirty, florals as well as sexier and more seductive pieces.
Rihanna’s raunchy teaser for her Fenty Fashion Vol. 2 left fashion fanatics everywhere eager to see what the singer-turned-designer had in store. The short, two minute preview teased artists from Travis Scott to Lizzo to Rico Nasty. But what’s most significant is what is new to the line—menswear.
As her company and line grows, so does her desire to become even more inclusive. On October 2, 2020 Savage x Fenty dropped their mens underwear line in collaboration with model and rapper Christian Combs. Combs’ creative genius manifests itself in boxers, briefs and even a satin monogrammed pajama set incorporating hot pinks, electric blues, bright reds and black.
Credit: Savage x Fenty
The show didn’t disappoint. Influential models like Cara Delevingne and Paloma Elsesser walked the runway, giving further media attention to Rihanna's important message. Big Sean, as well as loads of other male models, walked in the menswear, with notable pieces such as belts, bright boxers and silky robes.
Inclusivity is still looking for its place in fashion, and the impact someone as influential and important as Rihanna will have is limitless. Everyone can enjoy the sets, with no question as to whether or not they “should” wear it. Designers everywhere should look to Ri as an example, because inclusive fashion is necessary.
Cover photo credit: Savage x Fenty