Rihanna
Singer
She is the first black face of Dior and the most bankable magazine cover star in terms of sell-through.

Rihanna is singer, businesswoman, fashion designer, actress and philanthropist. She has been featured on the cover of major fashion magazines, including American and British Vogue, i-D and W Magazine, and is cited as a fashion inspiration and trendsetter from the high street to luxury sectors. In 2019 she launched a ready-to-wear label, Fenty, with LVMH, becoming the first fashion brand launched from scratch by LVMH since Christian Lacroix was founded in 1987, and the first woman of colour at the top of an LVMH maison.
Within the industry, she has garnered the attention of Alexander Wang , Tom Ford and Peter Dundas . “She is a very talented dresser,” Dundas told British Vogue, “in the way that Kate Moss is. She’s an amplified version of what a lot of girls want to look like, but she’s always one step ahead of the game.”
In June 2015, the singer announced her new line, $CHOOL Kills that will sell accessories, purses and clothing. This follows on from her widely successful collaboration with River Island, her make up collection with MAC cosmetics and her creative direction for Puma womenswear.
More recently, Rihanna signed a deal with LVMH to create a beauty brand, Fenty Beauty. It generated €500 million in its first full year in operation, and managed to rewrite at least some of the rules of the beauty industry by making 40 shades of foundation the minimum requirement. She has also shifted the conversation in lingerie with the launch of Savage x Fenty, a size-inclusive line.
A regular on both the fashion week circuit and red carpet, Rihanna has been dressed by Givenchy to Alaïa. Working closely with her stylist Mel Ottenberg, she has also helped to launch the careers of emerging designers including KTZ and Adam Selman. The ‘Naked’ CFDA gown was designed by Selman, garnering attention from the press.
She is frequently praised for her ability to mix high-end and high street fashion, creating unique looks that inspire not only the masses, but major fashion designers.
In September 2016, Rihanna launched her Fenty Puma by Rihanna line after showing her first runway collection for the brand during New York Fashion Week's Autumn/Winter 2016 season. The partnership ended in 2018.
VITAL STATISTICS
Find out more

Can Nars Keep Winning Complexion?
With its biggest launch in years, Nars is hoping to consolidate its reputation as a category leader in foundations and concealers. But the fight to stay on top has never been harder.

Can Nars Keep Winning Complexion?
With its biggest launch in years, Nars is hoping to consolidate its reputation as a category leader in foundations and concealers. But the fight to stay on top has never been harder.

What Will Happen to Kendo?
The news that LVMH might sell off its stake in Rihanna’s Fenty raises questions about the broader beauty incubator landscape.

What Will Happen to Kendo?
The news that LVMH might sell off its stake in Rihanna’s Fenty raises questions about the broader beauty incubator landscape.

Beauty Cashes in on the Return of the Summer Blockbuster
From ‘Smurfs’ to ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’, big-budget films are an increasingly popular marketing tie-in for beauty companies — especially when their founder is also a star.

Beauty Cashes in on the Return of the Summer Blockbuster
From ‘Smurfs’ to ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’, big-budget films are an increasingly popular marketing tie-in for beauty companies — especially when their founder is also a star.

5 Fashion Brands That Dominated the Met Gala Social Conversation
Analysis from BoF INSIGHTS PULSE shows which brands and celebrities drove the conversation around the Met Gala on social media — and why.

5 Fashion Brands That Dominated the Met Gala Social Conversation
Analysis from BoF INSIGHTS PULSE shows which brands and celebrities drove the conversation around the Met Gala on social media — and why.

Dior Names Rihanna As the New Face of J’Adore
The star will front a campaign launching in September in a bid to reinvigorate the flagship fragrance range.

Dior Names Rihanna As the New Face of J’Adore
The star will front a campaign launching in September in a bid to reinvigorate the flagship fragrance range.

Rafael Pavarotti Shoots to Thrill
The boy wonder photographer from Brazil meets his match in Rihanna.

Rafael Pavarotti Shoots to Thrill
The boy wonder photographer from Brazil meets his match in Rihanna.

Whatever Happened to the ‘Fenty Beauty’ Effect?
In 2017, the launch of Rihanna’s ground-breaking Fenty Beauty forced the beauty industry into unflattering light. Shade inclusivity was supposed to become table stakes, but in many ways, the industry is backsliding.

Whatever Happened to the ‘Fenty Beauty’ Effect?
In 2017, the launch of Rihanna’s ground-breaking Fenty Beauty forced the beauty industry into unflattering light. Shade inclusivity was supposed to become table stakes, but in many ways, the industry is backsliding.

Rihanna Returns to Dior
The scope of the celebrity singer’s new Dior deal remains unknown, but industry sources say the former brand ambassador will star in a campaign lensed by Steven Klein.

Rihanna Returns to Dior
The scope of the celebrity singer’s new Dior deal remains unknown, but industry sources say the former brand ambassador will star in a campaign lensed by Steven Klein.

The Year Ahead: How Brands Are Reinventing Outdoor Wear
The lines between functionality and style will continue to blur as consumers continue to embrace ”gorpcore” and competition increases among technical outdoor wear players, according to The State of Fashion 2024.

The Year Ahead: How Brands Are Reinventing Outdoor Wear
The lines between functionality and style will continue to blur as consumers continue to embrace ”gorpcore” and competition increases among technical outdoor wear players, according to The State of Fashion 2024.

How Mini Beauty Became Big Business
Once seen as a last-minute impulse purchase, bite-sized products are becoming a main attraction for prestige brands and retailers looking to widen their customer base.

How Mini Beauty Became Big Business
Once seen as a last-minute impulse purchase, bite-sized products are becoming a main attraction for prestige brands and retailers looking to widen their customer base.
What is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.





