Turns out Rihanna’s recent CR Fashion Book cover was, in fact, a preview of more Marie Antoinette-inspired attractions to come. At last night’s Spring 2017 Fenty Puma by Rihanna presentation, models like Imaan Hammam, Stella Maxwell, Taylor Hill, RiRi’s BBHMM henchwoman Sita Abellan and Gigi and Bella’s baby brother Anwar weaved through the salons of the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild in 18th century-inspired streetwear looks.
When we heard that Rihanna would eschew a typical runway setup for something more befitting the City of Lights, we imagined the Puma creative director staging a Fenty-filled performance at the Eiffel Tower. Such was not the case. Instead, the R&B siren channeled Raf Simons’ Dior debut (sans the floral walls). Models in gargantuan hoodies, lace-up corsets, flirty silk teddies, broderie anglaise dresses and pastel boiler suits paired with RiRi’s token sky-high platform sneakers strolled through a series of très chic rooms decorated with columns, chandeliers and neoclassical art.
Rihanna is seen with models backstage during FENTY x PUMA by Rihanna at Hotel Salomon de Rothschild on September 28, 2016 in Paris, France; Image: Victor Boyko/Getty Images for Fenty x Puma
While the silhouettes mirrored those of the brand’s fall collection, the materials and color palette were decidedly lighter, more feminine. “To me, Spring should feel like something fresh, even though I’m not going to stop wearing black altogether,” the fashion icon told Vogue. “But I didn’t want it to be super-bubbly, so I kept it a bit street—everything was super-sporty and definitely highly influenced by 18th-century French culture, and the style of that time, mainly Marie Antoinette, and the Palace of Versailles.”
We also love that Rihanna managed to keep the sweet yet street collection fairly gender neutral. Dresses featured serious slits and thus could fit all manner of shapes, and the many oversized offerings could easily flatter bad gals and guys alike. “[A major] challenge was having to design part of the collection for men. I ended up just going back to myself for that, because, you know, I wear men’s clothes all the time. So I thought to myself, ‘Just design what you like to wear,’” RiRi shared.
Plenty a Fenty SS17 #fentyxpuma @badgalriri @tom_van_dorpe @illjahjah @mazurbate #PFW
A photo posted by Stella! (@stellamaxwell) on
As is the case with every outfit Rihanna designs or dons, the accessories were just as attention grabbing as the Marie-Antoinette-hits-the-tennis-court range. If the CFDA honoree has her way, this spring we’ll all be elevating our gym attire with thick satin and pearl chokers (and lip rings!), sporting cutesy ankle socks under our platform creepers and cooling ourselves with filigreed Puma fans. We’re not opposed to the idea.
[ via Fashionista ]
images: IMAXtree
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