“Empire” Fashion Recap: Hakeem Has Officially Arrived
A lot happened onlast night’s Empire. Two people got shot, one couple got engaged, and the whole Lyons clan split down the middle to produce two hit songs. Along the way, there were several amazing outfits. Here’s our official fashion recap. (And if you haven’t yet read Yahoo Style’s exclusive interview with the show’s inspiring costume designer, Rita McGhee, do so after you read this!)
On the Red Carpet
Takeem has arrived—and they’re officially superstars. But while Tianna’s gone full diva in a pink fur over her pink dress, we can’t help but feel like Hakeem looks a little, well, blah, in his sweatshirt and vest. Maybe that’s why everyone insists on referring to him as Lucious Lyons’s son?
Lucious Lyons Proposes!
Lucious might have unresolved feelings for Cookie, but he made things official with Anika last night. There’s a good chance he had an ulterior motive (her big-name doctor Dad can now conveniently sign off on Lucious’s clean bill of health), but the mogul’s not one to do things halfway. He wore a dapper suit for the occasion and, my god—that ring! 18K and so big it practically has its own gravitational pull. Anika, in a pale blush dress, will make a picture perfect wife.
Cookie Takes Care of Business
After having the fright of her life, Cookie hurries back inside to compose herself. She grabs a gun, tucks it into her Chanel purse, and reaches for a fedora, very deliberately cocking it to one side. Her outfit—leather black trend, white body con dress—was pure fashion, but the hat transforms her into a private eye-meets-femme fatale. Cookie’s clearly readying to take care of some nasty business.
Anika Drinking Tea with her Mom
Anika’s parents provide so much insight into her character. Her mom wears layers of pearls to tea, and clearly isn’t impressed by the Lyons’ glitzy wealth. Also, her casual mention of Anika’s days at Julliard suggest there’s more to Lucious’s fiancé than meets the eye.
Jamal vs. Hakeem
Much of this episode set up the duality of the younger Lyon brothers: Hakeem, the favorite, is making an extravagantly expensive music video in a professional studio, while Jamal, who recently severed ties with his homophobic father, is in a no-frills, bullet-ridden recording studio. One is slick and highly-produced, the other is raw, gritty, real. And their outfits match: Hakeem, surrounded by lingerie-clad women, sports a gold chain, big earrings—and not much else. Jamal, on the other hand, looks like a musician—not a pop star—in a black hoodie. Their different approaches both have their own merits. We just hope they don’t tear the two brothers apart.
