New York Fashion Week 2019: Kim Kardashian dazzles in sheer tank as Rihanna debuts Savage x Fenty in top-secret runway

Amid controversy over the future of Victoria’s Secret, Rihanna has staged an epic lingerie show for her Savage x Fenty line in New York.

She’s a pop star, businesswoman and all-round fashion powerhouse. And now, Rihanna has taken on Victoria’s Secret in a huge way, staging a full-scale lingerie runway extravaganza in New York.

Rihanna showed her latest Savage x Fenty line as part of the official New York Fashion Week schedule, with a show that was basically an invitation-only concert.

The Work singer, 31, took cues from the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show but with the sort of body confident, inclusive message that has VS has been accused of lacking.

At Savage x Fenty, there were supermodels (Gigi and Bella Hadid) and live performances (Halsey, who sang Graveyard, Migos and A$AP Ferg) but the message was one of empowerment and inclusivity.

Of course, Rihanna performed and appeared on the catwalk, which was actually a stage at the Barclays Centre.

Rihanna performs onstage during her Savage x Fenty show at Barclays Centre. Picture: Getty Images

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Also modelling for the Work singer’s line were Laverne Cox, Joan Smalls and Cara Delevingne, who made a rare return to the runway.

Rihanna’s concert-style show — held at a venue usually reserved for concerts and the NBA — was another example of “immersive experiences” replacing traditional catwalk presentations at Fashion Week this season, Vogue reported.

Rihanna, centre, was joined by models of all shapes and sizes. Picture: Getty Images

Cara Delevigne made a catwalk comeback. Picture: Getty Images

Details of Rihanna’s NYFW show have been kept under wraps until it’s televised on September 20 via Amazon Prime. Picture: Getty Images

The show drew comparisons to Victoria’s Secret but Rihanna was praised for changing the game. As the New York Times said: “Rihanna has just sampled the VS playbook and set it to her own tune”, and that “you have to give Rihanna credit for wiping VS off its own playing field”.

Like Tommy Hilfiger’s live streamed event with Zendaya, Rihanna’s runway also has a broadcast element, via an exclusive streaming deal with Amazon Prime Video.

The full show will be shown on the platform from September 20.

Rihanna, wearing Alexandre Vauthier Couture, before her Savage x Fenty show. Picture: Getty Images

Rihanna’s latest collection featured “embellished details, must-have Logo Lounge essentials, daring teddies, and so much more,” according to her design statement, with the singer promising it would be “bigger and badder” than her previous shows.

Due to her multimillion-dollar Amazon deal, photographers were not allowed inside the huge venue — which is usually reserved for concerts and the NBA — with only four official photos released after the event.

The rest are due to be revealed when the Savage X Fenty Show Presented by Amazon Prime Video premieres later this month.

Cara Delevingne posed on the black carpet before the Savage x Fenty show at NYFW. Picture: Getty Images

The model-turned-actor made a return to the runway for Rihanna. Picture: AFP

Savage x Fenty is perhaps the year’s most high-profile lingerie runway, after the reported cancellation of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

Victoria’s Secret has, of course, faced significant business woes including declining sales, criticism over its choice of models, and increased competition from other brands, particularly Savage x Fenty.

Rihanna’s brand has carved out an impressive slice of the competitive intimates retail market, with a body inclusive message and pieces that are stocked from sizes XS-3XL.

Showing some skin! Bella Hadid. Picture: Getty Images

Gigi Hadid also modelled for Savage x Fenty. Picture: Getty Images

She served up a from-the-back pose, too. Picture: Getty Images

Cara Delevingne, Joan Smalls, and Gigi Hadid. Picture: Getty Images

Australian model Shanina Shaik wearing Savage x Fenty. Picture: Getty Images

KIM KARDASHIAN STUNS IN NEW YORK

Rihanna’s wasn’t the only celebrity fashion line to show on NYFW’s official schedule — Serena Williams presented her self-titled line, too.

Putting double-sided Hollywood tape to the test, Kim Kardashian has turned heads at New York Fashion Week wearing an outfit that only a Kardashian can pull off.

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star went basically braless at Williams' runway show, wearing a sheer metallic chain mail tank, teamed with skin tight leather pants and Yeezy heels.

At Serena’s show, Kardashian 38, sat in the front row next to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

Glittering in silver, Kim Kardashian made a surprise return to NYFW. Picture: AP

They watched on as tennis ace Williams presented her latest clothing collection, just days after Williams’ heartbreaking US Open final loss.

In trademark Kardashian style, the lawyer-in-training pouted as she showed off her Anna Wintour-style bob while out with close friend, La La Anthony.

Pouty pose! Picture: AP

On the runway, models wore designs by Williams, 37, including snake print mini skirts, sheer shirts and sequins.

Serena’s range has already drawn a high-profile supporter in Williams’ close friend, the Duchess of Sussex, who previously wore a grey blazer from the Serena Williams Collection.

Former world No. 1 Williams closed the show holding her two-year-old daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.

Kim Kardashian, right, sat next to Vogue editor Anna Wintour at Serena Williams’ runway show. Picture: AP

La La Anthony and Kim Kardashian turned heads in Manhattan. Picture: AP

Serena Williams holding her daughter Alexis Olympia (in mini-Nikes), after her New York Fashion Week show. Picture: AP

Williams’ NYFW presentation came days after she lost in straight sets to 19-year-old Bianca Andreescu in the US Open final, calling the defeat her “worst match”.

“I think this is the worst match I’ve played all tournament. And it’s hard to know that you could do better,” Williams said during her post-final press conference.

“It’s inexcusable for me to play at that level.”