Rihanna goes one step further by celebrating male body positivity in the Savage x Fenty Vol. 2 fashion show

Badgal Riri has done it again! Pushing boundaries and expectations is what Rihanna does best, and her lingerie line is no exception. Her second fashion show, which aired at the beginning of October, included models of all genders, sexualities, body sizes, abilities and ages. But it was the plus size male models, Steven G and Soouizz, that caught everyone’s attention. 

The second fashion show for Rihanna’s brand, Savage x Fenty, has received a lot of attention since it aired on Amazon Prime. The first show that aired last year amassed heaps of praise for its’ diverse range of female bodies. This time, Rihanna went one step further by including men in this celebration of inclusivity. 

Men on social media shared that the inclusion of male models with bodies like theirs made them feel sexy, confident and even emotional.

Men on social media shared that the inclusion of male models with bodies like theirs made them feel sexy, confident and even emotional. Steven G. responded to the positive reaction from social media saying, “this is for every guy built with some extra meat…” and “I didn’t imagine I would be a pioneer for a movement that has been slept on”. Soouizz added “we made history” after being showcased in the fashion show too. 

The female body positivity movement has come a long way, celebrated by plus size models like Ashley Graham and body-positivity advocate, Lizzo. But it’s important to remember that it’s not just women who are held to unrealistic body standards. Steven G. disclosed that his main challenge as a plus size model (size 2XL) is finding clothes that fit him in men’s shops, but this isn’t the same situation for curvy women. And he’s right! More and more brands, like ASOS, are making an effort to include plus-size women on their websites and advertising campaigns, but there has been a slack in pushing this movement for men.

More and more brands, like ASOS, are making an effort to include plus-size women on their websites and advertising campaigns, but there has been a slack in pushing this movement for men.

What makes Rihanna’s decision to include plus size men so revolutionary is that the inclusion was not introduced as a separate feature to the main Savage brand. The plus size models for Savage, both men and women, are integrated with the other body sizes both in the Vol. 2 show and on the Savage x Fenty online shop. The overwhelmingly positive reaction to this inclusion could be a turning point for the male body positivity movement. Since Rihanna is notorious for making anything and everything fashion, it is undeniable that other brands will be tripping over each other trying to follow in her footsteps.