Anyone anticipating the numerous wardrobe changes from previous Super Bowls may have been let down. Nevertheless, Rihanna dazzled in an all-red dress crafted especially for her by upscale brands Loewe and Alaa for her halftime performance. She may have kept things simple and chosen a pair of comfortable shoes in a similar shade of red in the light of later claims that the celebrity is expecting her second child.
The Barbadian singer opened her 13-minute halftime performance on a hanging stage while wearing a cotton canvas flying suit and sang “B**** Better Have My Money.” The cover was nearly completely unzipped to expose a silk jersey catsuit and carved leather corset that matched.
The three outfits were all made to order by Loewe’s creative director Jonathan Anderson. The fashion brand claimed that her outfit was inspired by flying gear and was “designed to build volume in step with the dynamic scenography of the show.” It also revealed a red breastplate with a similar appearance as part of its Spring 2022 ready-to-wear collection.
A pair of red shoes from Maison Margiela’s partnership with the athletic shoe company Salomon was worn by Rihanna to complete the look. She topped it off with a leather puffer scarf by Alaa, the company established by the late Tunisian designer Azzedine Alaa.
The 34-year-old quickly threw the scarf away and started singing a medley of popular songs, including “Rude Boy” and “Umbrella.” But she returned for the finale, “Diamonds,” wearing another Alaa piece. This time, the label’s creative director Pieter Mulier came up with a red leather maxi puffer coat that also included integrated gloves.
After six years, Rihanna gave her first live public performance at this time. Fashion observers had also predicted that the diva may wear things from her Savage X Fenty collection because she had spent a significant amount of the interim period expanding her lingerie and cosmetics empire. This was instead the responsibility of her army of backup dancers, whose white hooded coats were unzipped to show a variety of products from the underwear company.
The designer’s brand seized the opportunity and instantly informed followers on social media that the dancers’ sports bras, boxers, and mesh tank tops are all for sale.
Anderson called the performance “an unforgettable moment” in a news release from Loewe, whose parent firm LVMH also holds a controlling share in Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty company. He is quoted as saying, “Rihanna is a true icon, and working with her to bring these stage looks to life feels like a wild, wonderful dream.”
