Naomi Campbell Got Naked on "Empire" Last Night
It’s official. Empire is TV’s biggest hit this season. The primetime soap, which airs at 8/9c on FOX and follows the dynamic Lyons family, debuted to 9.9 million viewers on January 7th and has been steadily picking up speed ever since. The plot centers on Lucious Lyons, legendary rapper and owner of mega record label Empire, his jailbird ex-wife Cookie (who helped him start the company, then spent the next 17 years in prison), and their three children, as they each struggle to gain control of the label and its legacy. It’s Dynasty-meets-King Lear—with a Timbaland soundtrack. Did we mention Naomi Campbell’s on the show? The only thing more fun than the drama is the fashion. Here, a recap of the style on last night’s episode.
Boardroom Showdown
If Cookie wants to regain her rightful position as queen of Empire, the first person she’s going to have to take down is Anika, Lucious’ live-in girlfriend, and the record label’s head of A&R. In last night’s episode, Anika arrives at the office to find Cookie already leading the meeting Anika had called. Cookie wore purple—how royal!—for the occasion. But so did Anika: She’s not going to give up her power so easily. How each of them yield that power is a different story: Cookie always manages to infuse some hip-hop flavor into her look. That means fur (a signature of hers), gold hoops and plenty of bling—even for the office. Anika’s sheath dress, pearl earrings and ladylike bag, while totally business appropriate, look completely uncool in comparison. The two women represent the past and present of both Lucious and the record label: Cookie is a reminder of its ‘hood roots, while Anika represents the corporate—some might say soulless—present.
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Shaving Scene
Until now, Anika and Lucious and have seemed more business partners than paramours, but in this scene we got to see a softer side of their relationship. For the tender moment, the costume designer appropriately chose to dress them in soft, silky pajamas, both domestic and vulnerable. Notice, too, how the two dress alike. We have a feeling Cookie would have a derisive comment for the buttoned-up bedtime look—something involving “bougie” perhaps?—and we wonder whether Lucious’ style might loosen up as his ex-wife continues to work her influence.
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Introducing “Takeem”
The Internet is rife with comparisons between Tiana and Hakeem’s—aka “Takeem”—relationship and that of Rihanna and Chris Brown. We’re not sure how the plotline will progress, but the two stars undeniably resemble—and dress like—their alleged inspirations. This scene reminds us that though they’re both about to be megastars, they’re still very much kids. Hakeem wears his signature oversized studs, a tank top and a sheepish expression. Tiana’s youth is even more apparent in leather overalls and a pink-and-yellow bra top. So, too, is her fashion sense. And if she’s indeed modeled after Rihanna, there’s no doubt we’ll see her fashion star rise.
Cookie Hosts Tiana
Leopard is another one of Cookie’s signatures. For her return to Empire in the first episode, Cookie wears head to toe leopard to crash the offices. And in last night’s episode, she wore leopard twice: first, to meet rapper Titan’s mom (Empire’s hoping to poach him) and second, to host a dinner for Tiana and Hakeem, her youngest son who consistently rejects her efforts to reconnect. Head-to-toe leopard is Cookie’s power suit; she wears it when she wants to feel comfortable—and win someone over.
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Naomi Campbell and Hakeem in the Bathtub
There might not be any actual clothes in this scene, but there is Naomi. Naked. In a bathtub! She’s also revealed to be a successful fashion designer: she tells Hakeem about how she’s dealt with the haters, “after they savaged my 2009 collection,” before recommending he read the 48 Laws of Power.
‘Takeem’ Performs
Despite their troubled relationship, Tiana and Hakeem have undeniably great chemistry onstage. Tiana has made clear to him that music—and not necessarily monogamy—is her priority. Onstage, the two proved themselves to be bona fide performers: Tiana wore a tight, gold sequin, mini-jumpsuit, with matching gold eyeshadow and her hair slicked back. Hakeem wore his regular black tank, Bunky’s hand-me-down Run DMC-esque chain, and black pants with a few subtle upgrades: his tank was semi-sheer, his hat was shiny, and he wore a piece of skirt-like material at his waist for a Kanye vibe. The stark difference between their relationship on and offstage will continue to be a theme, and it’ll be interesting to see how they explore the nuances in both via wardrobe.
Gabby Sidibe Climbing the Ranks
Gabourey Sidibe is a bright spot in the show as Lucious’ highly competent, likeable, and very funny assistant, Becky. She was the first person he told about his illness, and the bond between the two is one of Lucious’ more redeeming qualities. In this last scene, Becky asks Lucious if she can shadow him with a newly-acquired talent, and she dressed appropriately for the power play, in a white skirt and fashion-forward asymmetrical top. With Becky climbing the ranks at Empire, could she be the dark horse that eventually inherits the company? We’ll have to stay tuned.
