Rihanna prepares to begin her domination of the high fashion world with Fenty, a luxury fashion house with LVMH, sharing her inspiration behind the brand with T Magazine.
Starring on their first digital cover, Rihanna shares with Jeremy O. Harris, of T Magazine, her pride in being a Black woman, details on creative endeavors and a preview of her Fenty fashion line.
During the interview, an open and honest Rihanna shares how she initially did not realize the historical moment created when she birthed Fenty fashion. When Jaleel Weaver, Rihanna’s longtime partner and creative director of Fenty, informed her that fashion house marked the first of its kind by a Black woman, she asked him Are you sure about that? Did you do your research?”
Rihanna continues, discussing how she became her own muse for Fenty fashion.
“I use myself as the muse. It’s sweatpants with pearls, or a masculine denim jacket with a corset. I feel like we live in a world where people are embracing every bit of who they are. Look at Jaden Smith, Childish Gambino. They dare you to tell them not to.” she tells T Magazine.
Her individuality and her Blackness are two things Rihanna takes pride in and does not let the racism or sexism in the high fashion world to deter her from reaching her goals.
“And I don’t know if it’s unfortunate or fortunate, because I love being black. So, sorry for those who don’t like it — that’s the first thing you see before you even hear my voice. There are also other factors: I’m young. I’m new to the family. I’m a woman. Those factors do come into play, but I will not apologize for them, and I will not back down from being a woman, from being black, from having an opinion. I’m running a company and that’s exactly what I came here to do”
Mentioning she uses her Fenty name to distinguish her other projects from Rihanna the musician, the pop star confirms that she does have a reggae album coming. When, however, even Rihanna herself is unsure. She does not confirm a title but does make sure to clarify Drake does not have a verse or hook on the album and does not see a collab with the six god anytime soon.
Read the full interview here: