If there’s anyone that embodies the title “Bad Bitch,” it’s the heroines of the Japanese gaming world. Don’t be quick to oversexuallize, or intellectually diminish, the term. Per Urban Dictionary, a Bad Bitch is defined as:
A self respected, strong female who has everything together. That consists of body, mind, finances, and swagger. Also, a female who does & gets hers by any means necessary.
If my current self and ten-year-old gaming self could agree on one thing, it would be that the guerilla-style trained assassins of Final Fantasy X-2, Yuna, Rikku, and Paine, unquestionably fit this mold. If you’ve ever played the Final Fantasy series, you know the influence it’s had on style, cinema, and female bravado in the gaming world. X-2 features an all-female main cast, and a dangerously enchanting one at that. Rikku, Yuna, and Paine, are a crew of lethal activists, femme fatales, and unexpected style icons.
In our new editorial, Assassins In Rodarte, we recreate their looks. Paine is a dark and somber soul, bearing a mysterious yet threatening demeanor. The dominatrix sports Zana Bayne bondage gear, accessorizing Alexander Wang and Rachel Comey get-ups. Rikku, your bursting, bubbly blonde, wears designers such as J.W. Anderson, Rodarte, Atsuko Kudo, and Giamba, that compliment her unique, elfish beauty. Her free spirit is what gets her into trouble as well as out of it: an innocent flame with a powerful burn. And Yuna, the humanitarian, naive leader, and angelic force, is always looking for the good in others. The humble beauty/femme fatale flaunts Jacquemus, Issey Miyake, and Galvan, all whilst mercilessly slaying a villain or two. After all, a bad bitch never takes her eyes off the prize.
It’s no secret that power seems to travel in threes (insert reference to Charlie’s Angels, Powerpuff Girls, or Destiny’s Child here). In the world of Final Fantasy X-2, strong women need not seek fame or recognition, they simply receive it in the process of fighting for justice, seducing for necessity, and innovating for success. Were you to see such exquisite creatures in real life, you might not even recognize them. As Paine mutters under her breath, “Don't forget that notoriety can be a bad thing.”
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Zana Bayne Woven Face Mask in black and Rachel Comey Badge Chino Twill Jumpsuit in charcoal. Photos by Tyler Adams; Styling by Erika Flynn and Casey Rea![]()
Rachel Comey Badge Chino Twill Jumpsuit in charcoal and Opening Ceremony Grunge Double Zip Shiny Booties in black. ![]()
A self respected, strong female who has everything together. That consists of body, mind, finances, and swagger. Also, a female who does & gets hers by any means necessary.
If my current self and ten-year-old gaming self could agree on one thing, it would be that the guerilla-style trained assassins of Final Fantasy X-2, Yuna, Rikku, and Paine, unquestionably fit this mold. If you’ve ever played the Final Fantasy series, you know the influence it’s had on style, cinema, and female bravado in the gaming world. X-2 features an all-female main cast, and a dangerously enchanting one at that. Rikku, Yuna, and Paine, are a crew of lethal activists, femme fatales, and unexpected style icons.
In our new editorial, Assassins In Rodarte, we recreate their looks. Paine is a dark and somber soul, bearing a mysterious yet threatening demeanor. The dominatrix sports Zana Bayne bondage gear, accessorizing Alexander Wang and Rachel Comey get-ups. Rikku, your bursting, bubbly blonde, wears designers such as J.W. Anderson, Rodarte, Atsuko Kudo, and Giamba, that compliment her unique, elfish beauty. Her free spirit is what gets her into trouble as well as out of it: an innocent flame with a powerful burn. And Yuna, the humanitarian, naive leader, and angelic force, is always looking for the good in others. The humble beauty/femme fatale flaunts Jacquemus, Issey Miyake, and Galvan, all whilst mercilessly slaying a villain or two. After all, a bad bitch never takes her eyes off the prize.
It’s no secret that power seems to travel in threes (insert reference to Charlie’s Angels, Powerpuff Girls, or Destiny’s Child here). In the world of Final Fantasy X-2, strong women need not seek fame or recognition, they simply receive it in the process of fighting for justice, seducing for necessity, and innovating for success. Were you to see such exquisite creatures in real life, you might not even recognize them. As Paine mutters under her breath, “Don't forget that notoriety can be a bad thing.”
Zana Bayne Woven Face Mask in black and Rachel Comey Badge Chino Twill Jumpsuit in charcoal. Photos by Tyler Adams; Styling by Erika Flynn and Casey Rea
Rachel Comey Badge Chino Twill Jumpsuit in charcoal and Opening Ceremony Grunge Double Zip Shiny Booties in black. 