The Baby Bump: A Statement Piece
Image Courtesy: Vogue
A celebrity’s pregnancy announcement post is almost always a major deal for the pop culture community. The reveal lets the public know that there is a mini version of the celebrity that will soon make an appearance in the world. These posts offer a glimpse into the private lives of the elite, and the best ones are strategically and elaborately planned, with the styling and fashion choices playing key roles. On January 31st, Rihanna announced that she and A$AP Rocky were expecting by posting multiple “off-duty” pictures shot by photographer Diggzy in Harlem, A$AP's hometown. While a pregnancy announcement is always a highly liked, shared, and talked about moment, we are talking about Rihanna, one of the biggest celebrities! Dazed Magazine referred to her pregnancy reveal as an “instant cultural milestone.” Her pictures took the reveal to a new level—they are an artistic, high fashion expression befitting the entertainment and fashion industry mogul.
She did not simply share pictures of her stomach; she displayed the pregnancy in a way that highlights her fashion credibility. The singer decided to do what only an icon can, draping her baby bump in vintage designer, while her statement piece, the baby bump, is swathed in a gold cross pendant and brooch. Belly jewelry is hot right now on Instagram and TikTok, so, as usual, Rihanna is right on-trend.
Image Courtesy: Strike FSU
Riri was photographed wearing Chanel's pink puffer coast from their 1996 collection, designed by Karl Lagerfeld. In addition, she wore a Chanel chain belt, a stunning pearl necklace, ripped blue jeans, and a bejeweled Christian Lacroix crucifix. The reveal serves as a streetwear rendition of Madonna’s Like a Prayer album cover, with Rihanna’s hands tucked into the pockets of her low-rise jeans, and her stomach covered by a collection of avant-garde jewelry strung along with a long pearl necklace. Paper Magazine pointed out another reference in Rihanna’s shoot—the famous November 1998 cover of Vogue (Anna Wintour’s first), featuring at-the-time pregnant model Michaela Bercu wearing a Christian Lacroix cross shirt and faded blue jeans.
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
There is a long history of making the baby bump a prized accessory, starting with Demi Moore in her iconic 1991 Vanity Fair photoshoot. Demi posed nude, which was scandalous at the time; cradling her bump with her arm, she created a dramatic symbol of female empowerment. The simplicity of the Annie Lebovitz shoot elevated the level of the rising movie star. Since then, many celebs have embraced the baby bump, most notably Beyoncé in 2017 in a high concept photoshoot filled with artistic, religious, and maternal symbolism. The photo was, at one point, the most-liked in Instagram’s history.
Image Courtesy: Rolling Stone
Following the news of the pregnancy, fashion brand Boohoo revealed that searches for “baby bump” escalated 488%, as fans are inspired to recreate Rihanna’s announcement look and bid adieu to unattractive maternity clothes by hopping on the “exposed bump” trend. One of the best parts about Rihanna's baby bump reveals is we now get to marvel at all the pregnancy outfits she'll wear over the next few months.
Strike Out,
Writer: Nikki Cohen
Editor: Roxy Rico
Graphic Designer: Alison MacCloud
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