Everything You Missed at Rihanna’s Delightful Fenty x Puma Fashion Show
On Sunday night, jaded fashionistas schlepped to the Park Avenue Armory in New York’s Upper East Side dismissive of runway shows-cum-spectacles and ready to turn up their noses at yet another celebrity over-the-top production. But leave it to Rihanna to turn those frowns upside down. For her fourth Fenty X Puma collection on Sunday, she devised a presentation that was on the right side of too much: To kick things off, a trio of bikers revved their motorcycles and somersaulted over the giant piles of pink sand, soaring into the air (who knew the ceilings went so high!) with a few backflips thrown in for good measure, for the crowd’s total delight. Rather than feeling gimmicky, Rihanna pulled off the schtick with aplomb—this was athleisure at its very best. An all-star cast including Kaia Gerber, Joan Smalls, Stella Maxwell, and Grace Elizabeth, stormed the runway in baggy track-pants, sleek bathing suits, loose cargo pants, and enough Matrix-inspired sunglasses to keep the Jenner sisters’ retinas protected for years to come. By the time Adriana Lima closed the show in an electric blue wetsuit, you could practically see the street style-crazed set rethinking their next day ensembles, racking their brains for how to incorporate a windbreaker into their look. It was a collection—and an experience—that made its influence on fashion immediately felt, without a smothering air of Instagram-fueled extravaganza. And get this, nary a Hadid or Jenner in sight. In short, brava, RiRi! Encore!
Inside the Fenty X Puma show by Rihanna at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday night during New York Fashion Week. Photo by Serichai Traipoom for W Magazine.
Inside the Fenty X Puma show by Rihanna at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday night during New York Fashion Week. Photo by Serichai Traipoom for W Magazine.
Inside the Fenty X Puma show by Rihanna at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday night during New York Fashion Week. Photo by Serichai Traipoom for W Magazine.
Inside the Fenty X Puma show by Rihanna at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday night during New York Fashion Week. Photo by Serichai Traipoom for W Magazine.
Inside the Fenty X Puma show by Rihanna at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday night during New York Fashion Week. Photo by Serichai Traipoom for W Magazine.
Inside the Fenty X Puma show by Rihanna at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday night during New York Fashion Week. Photo by Serichai Traipoom for W Magazine.
Inside the Fenty X Puma show by Rihanna at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday night during New York Fashion Week. Photo by Serichai Traipoom for W Magazine.
Inside the Fenty X Puma show by Rihanna at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday night during New York Fashion Week. Photo by Serichai Traipoom for W Magazine.
Inside the Fenty X Puma show by Rihanna at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday night during New York Fashion Week. Photo by Serichai Traipoom for W Magazine.
Inside the Fenty X Puma show by Rihanna at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday night during New York Fashion Week. Photo by Serichai Traipoom for W Magazine.
Inside the Fenty X Puma show by Rihanna at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday night during New York Fashion Week. Photo by Serichai Traipoom for W Magazine.
Inside the Fenty X Puma show by Rihanna at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday night during New York Fashion Week. Photo by Serichai Traipoom for W Magazine.
Inside the Fenty X Puma show by Rihanna at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday night during New York Fashion Week. Photo by Serichai Traipoom for W Magazine.
Inside the Fenty X Puma show by Rihanna at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday night during New York Fashion Week. Photo by Serichai Traipoom for W Magazine.
Inside the Fenty X Puma show by Rihanna at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday night during New York Fashion Week. Photo by Serichai Traipoom for W Magazine.
Inside the Fenty X Puma show by Rihanna at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday night during New York Fashion Week. Photo by Serichai Traipoom for W Magazine.
Inside the Fenty X Puma show by Rihanna at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday night during New York Fashion Week. Photo by Serichai Traipoom for W Magazine.
Inside the Fenty X Puma show by Rihanna at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday night during New York Fashion Week. Photo by Serichai Traipoom for W Magazine.
Inside the Fenty X Puma show by Rihanna at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday night during New York Fashion Week. Photo by Serichai Traipoom for W Magazine.
