Janet Jackson Took Over ESSENCE Fest Wearing Custom Alexander Wang And The Slayage Was Real

The stage was set…the lights were low… and the crowd was ready!

On Sunday night, concertgoers waited enthusiastically to see the iconic Janet Jackson perform hits from her music catalog at NOLA’s Mercedes Benz Superdome. 

As the headliner of this year’s ESSENCE Festival, Jackson did not disappoint. She performed a number of hits and looked ah-mazing while doing so. Jackson took over the stage wearing head-to-toe Alexander Wang. She appeared on stage dressed in a customized version of his most recent collection (which, by the way, recently shut down New York’s first-ever ‘summer fashion week.) 

When it comes to her art, Jackson has always been a revolutionary: she has always given a nod to Black culture in her songs, music videos and through her social commentary. This getup wasn’t just a fashion statement.

In Wang’s latest collection, he gave a nod to America’s current state of affairs, while also celebrating Blackness through his street-style inspired runway collection. The designer had Janet decked out in three looks for her show: the first look was a luxe sports jersey with a sheer-mesh front and studded sleeves, worn atop a lace bodysuit paired with black satin cargo pants and boots.

The songstress personalized the look with a crystalized bib necklace and a bedazzled bandana tied around her waist. 

Look two was a black, logo-emblazoned Wang jersey layered with a hoodie and red lumberjack shirt tied around her hips, worn with short-shorts and thigh-high boots. And last but definitely not least, she finished her set wearing a black satin oversized blazer with a bejeweled waist belt and heels. 

The icon gave us everything we wanted on stage, including a major Wang fashion moment. Yasss, Miss Jackson, we see you, sis!