After Fifty Shades of Grey, BDSM is taking another step into the mainstream. Indeed, as part of her lingerie collection Savage X Fenty, singer Rihanna has just launched a range of BDSM accessories.
The Savage X Fenty lingerie, launched in May, has already been a huge hit with fans.
The brand’s Instagram account announced the launch of the BDSM accessories line, called Savage Xcessories. Its slogan: “Time to kink it up with handcuffs, whips, eye masks, and more!”. (Translation: “Time to spice things up with handcuffs, whips, eye masks, and more!“)
The Savage Xcessories
There will be at least twelve Savage Xcessories, all relatively tame. The line-up includes, as announced, various types of handcuffs and scarves for tying people up, eye masks, and a small whip. But it will also include a riding crop, nipple covers, and a lace garter.
Are the garter and nipple covers really BDSM accessories? That remains debatable.
Rihanna makes no secret of her taste for BDSM
However, this isn’t the first time Rihanna has shown an interest in sadomasochism. In 2010, her song S&M had already caused a scandal, two years before the publication of the novel Fifty Shades of Grey, with lyrics such as: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but chains and whips excite me” (“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but chains and whips excite me”), a sexualised twist on an old English saying.
The video for “S&M” also borrows many of the conventions of BDSM. In the video, Rihanna is first wrapped in cling film in front of journalists wearing gags, then leads a man on a leash as he walks on all fours and “plays the dog”. Dressed entirely in pink latex, she whips the journalists, and is then tied up with ropes and shibari knots.
