Rihanna performs during the Apple Music halftime show at Super Bowl LVII, between Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale
(Picture: PA)With six years worth of pent up Rihanna frustration, the internet has been ferociously awaiting the pop star’s return to music at the Super Bowl halftime show.
It’s probably why she admitted that she reworked her 13-minute setlist 39 times — or why the 34-year-old conceded in the pre-game conference with Apple Music that she was nervous to take the stage again. But, when it came to the fashion the style icon knew she was going to serve.
Rihanna’s triumphant return started with the star suspended on a platform belting out B**** Better Have My Money in a red Loewe jumpsuit, which was almost entirely unzipped to reveal a matching silk catsuit complete with a moulded breast bustier.
Although the star beautifully accessorised the look with Messika Jewelry, a $72,000 diamond-studded Jacob & Co. Watch and a 14-karat gold “Mom” nameplate ring from celebrity-loved Beverly Hills jeweller XIV Karats, they were all overshadowed by her baby bump.
Following her Beyoncé-style belly rub to indicate she was pregnant, her representatives later confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that Rihanna was expecting her second child with A$AP Rocky (the two welcomed their first son in May 2022). Considering Rihanna’s maternity fashion was immortalised in the Met Gala by Vogue US editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, it felt right that the star would once again break the cultural expectations surrounding motherhood by performing the most coveted live music show pregnant.
It also explains why the star kept her outfit changes to a minimum, and chose a pair of comfy MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon low trainers in lieu of her usual statement heels. The Loewe look — which was custom designed by creative director Jonathan Anderson, who said in a press statement issued by the Spanish brand: "Rihanna is a true icon, and working with her to bring these stage looks to life feels like a wild, wonderful dream,” — was worn throughout the whole performance.
Midway through the beauty founder gagged fans by playfully applying her Fenty Invisimatte Instant Setting + Blotting Powder to touch up her glam before slipping into a second layer: a bold red leather maxi puffy coat by Alaïa, designed custom for her by Pieter Mulier.
Fashion nerds online immediately commented on the similarities between her statement coat and the late style icon André Leon Talley’s signature scarlet Norma Kamali sleeping bag coat. Talley’s official Instagram page also seemed to applaud the sartorial salute by posting photos of the like minded looks, along with some choice “Umbrella” lyrics: “When the sun shines, we’ll shine together. Told you I’ll be here forever… said I’ll always be your friend.” In reference to the two’s close friendship.
Mutual friends of the two style stars also noticed the homage, with stylist June Ambrose writing, “This was a beautiful tribute,” and writer Mara Brock Akil adding, “I knew it! And loved it! Loved that she met Andre in the sky like the diamond he is!”
Of course, Rihanna also used the opportunity of having an estimated global audience of $100 million to plug her Fenty brand. After all, it’s the reason the singer has been missing in action. Many thought the star would be wearing the brand, but instead she used her legion of back up dancers to plug her clothing. Underneath their white hooded jackets which beautifully juxtaposed Rihanna’s all-red looks, each dancer was wearing sports bras, boxers and mesh tank tops from the underwear brand, to which the star promptly reminded fans on social media were available for sale.
Many were expecting Rihanna to announce new music following her Super Bowl show — as was the case with previous performers Beyoncé and The Weeknd. However she has warned us not to get our hopes up, and the announcement of her second pregnancy has destroyed any hopes of a “greatest hits tour”. But at least we know we’re in for round two of Rihanna’s legendary maternity style.
