From music icon to fashion powerhouse, Rihanna’s authentic appeal holds a most sought-after influence over luxury brands.
Wearing Chopard at the LVMH Prize: Young Fashion Designer 2017 Awards (Photo courtesy of Chopard)
It’s been more than a decade since Rihanna broke into the music industry belting infectious hits about SOS and umbrellas, donning hip hop jeans and midriff-baring tops. Now, she’s a far cry from that pop image, having carved her identity by exploring a fashion career that’s more than a figure of expression. It's safe to say that Rihanna is now basking in her breakthrough moment spurned by styling herself to reflect her authentic personality.
She takes risks
Dressed in Comme des Garçons at the 2017 MET Gala (Photo courtesy of Chopard)
Rihanna dictates style like no one does – street, grunge, red carpet, suits, you name it, she’s nailed her various colourful fashion phases. Top designers and fashion brands are enamoured with her versatility and risk-taking approach to dressing up, which was first acknowledged in 2014 when she was honoured with the Council of Fashion Designers of America Fashion Icon award, and in that infamous sheer Adam Selman gown, with nothing but a white fur boa for cover.
Brands value her creative vision
Rihanna in Dior at the Cannes Film Festival 2017
From there, she became a fashion paragon – Rihanna dipped her hand into all aspects of fashion, designing her own line, Fenty x Puma, that took to New York Fashion Week, creative director for Stance Socks, received a Footwear News Award, and collaborated with luxury brands Fendi on a bag redesign, Dior sunglasses, Manolo Blahnik and Chopard. She was even honoured at a Parsons School of Design benefit and rocked a crazy Comme des Garçons ensemble at the 2017 MET Gala.
She sets new standards
This is how Rihanna showcased her flexibility, wielding power through creative involvement with competing brands, and then marrying them into her ever-evolving style persona – an admirably rare feat. She’s transcended icons like Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan and Kate Moss to set an unrivalled benchmark.
She never stops creating
Adorned in Chopard at the 59th Grammy Awards (Photo courtesy of Chopard)
This year alone, Rihanna has dropped exciting new collaborations with Chopard on an iconic joaillerie collection for summer, a Manolo Blahnik line for July and even a Fenty Beauty line slated for launch this fall. She’s more than a muse to brands who desire her creative force, lending her the power to rewrite the celebrity-designer relationship rules.
Here, we chronicle some examples of Rihanna's sartorial finesse covering a mix of styles, brands and looks.
Cover photo courtesy of Chopard.
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