Paris, France – Pop culture behemoth and fashion icon Rihanna and LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton are uniting to bring the world luxury fashion maison Fenty.
The 31-year-old recording artist born Robyn Fenty, who hasn’t released an album since 2016, will become the first woman to create an original brand at LVMH as well as the first Black woman to ever lead a fashion house at the brand. It’s also the first new house created by LVMH since Christian Lacroix in 1987.
LVMH announced the news Friday (May 10) after rumors a potential deal between both parties began to swirl in January, the New York Times reports. The first looks from Fenty’s impending collection are expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks. It will include ready-to-wear pieces, shoes and accessories.
To put Bad Gal RiRi’s latest move into perspective, the house Fenty will be among historic brands such as Dior, Givenchy, Celine and Fendi.
“Everybody knows Rihanna as a wonderful singer, but through our partnership at Fenty Beauty, I discovered a true entrepreneur, a real C.E.O. and a terrific leader,” Bernard Arnault, the chairman LVMH, added.
“Designing a line like this with LVMH is an incredibly special moment for us,” the pop mogul said in a statement. “Mr. Arnault has given me a unique opportunity to develop a fashion house in the luxury sector, with no artistic limits. I couldn’t imagine a better partner both creatively and business-wise, and I’m ready for the world to see what we have built together.”
Rihanna’s astute business moves outside the music industry have produced her diverse cosmetics line Fenty Beauty, lingerie brand Savage x Fenty and athleisure collection Fenty x Puma, which made its debut at New York Fashion Week in 2017.
She is one the forerunners the industry whose brands represent diversity and inclusion. Her beloved Fenty Beauty line, with its assemblage 40 varied shades, reportedly garnered over $100 million in its first 40 days operation. When Savage x Fenty launched last year, it was praised for embracing all body shapes.
Rihanna is known for her contemporary fashion and is someone many look forward to seeing at the Met Gala every year (though she was noticeably missing from this years).
In 2014, she was awarded the Fashion Icon Award by the Council Fashion Designers America Fashion Awards.
Be the first to get a peek at Fenty’s upcoming spring collection over at fenty.com.