Getting Started
So, I saw this topic trending a lot more lately – big name brands seriously stepping up their game featuring Black models in underwear shoots. Honestly? Took ’em long enough. Decided to deep dive, see who’s actually doing it right now and how they make it look so damn stylish and sexy without being cheesy. Felt like a project worth sharing.
The Hunt Begins
Grabbed my laptop, hit Google like a detective starting a case. Just typed in variations of “major underwear brands,” “recent campaigns,” “Black models.” Didn’t expect it to be easy, but damn, some sites still bury this stuff. Started scribbling names down as I found ’em:
- Savage Fenty: Obviously. Saw Rihanna’s crew plastered everywhere. Diverse sizes, skin tones, the works. Felt like they set the bar.
- Calvin Klein: Noticed they’ve had some killer shots pop up recently. More than just one token face now.
- Skims: Kim K’s line was pushing out images featuring gorgeous Black models way more than when they first launched. Big shift.
Kept digging, found some smaller, newer brands specifically shouting about representation. Good stuff.
Breaking Down the Look
Now, just listing names wasn’t enough. I wanted to know how they nailed the sexy and stylish vibe. Opened up a bunch of image tabs, started staring hard. Noticed some tricks:
- Lighting is God: Seriously. The good shots? The light hugs those melanin-rich skin tones. Deep, rich, warm – makes the skin glow like honey. Bad lighting washes them out, makes the underwear look cheap. Saw examples of both.
- Fabric Matters More: You know that beige “nude” everyone used to push? Useless here. Saw brands using bold colors – electric blues, deep reds – and luxurious textures against dark skin. Silk, satin… looks expensive, feels sensual. Also saw more chocolate and coffee-toned “nudes” finally.
- Style Over Plain Sexiness: The truly stylish shoots? Less obvious “come hither” poses, more like art. Models looking strong, confident, relaxed. Cool settings – minimalist studios, cool city backdrops – not just a boudoir bed.
The Frustrations & Wins
Wasn’t all smooth sailing. Got stuck trying to find concrete numbers on how many campaigns actually feature Black models. Brands love press releases but hate giving the nitty-gritty stats. Annoying as hell.
Spotted some brands clearly ticking a box. One token shot in a sea of sameness? Yeah, still happens. Called those out mentally.
But the real win? Seeing the sheer variety. Not just one body type, not just light-skinned models. Deep dark skin tones shining bright, curves celebrated, athletic builds – it all looked powerful and damn fine. The confidence radiating off some of these models in the pictures? Infectious.
Wrapping it Up
Stopped when my notes looked like a spiderweb. Learned a ton just by looking closer. It’s clear things are changing, maybe not fast enough for some, but definitely heading the right way. Savage, Skims, CK… they’re proving it sells. The key? Respect the skin. Light it right, choose colors that pop, style it smart, and let the models own it. Makes all the difference between basic and breathtaking.
Left feeling pretty stoked. Saw gorgeous people looking amazing in their skin and their undies. That’s something worth talking about. What brands are catching your eye doing this? Might revisit this with a specific focus next time.
