Rihanna Makes History with LVMH Partnership
We may not be getting new music anytime soon, but everyone’s favorite multi-hyphenate businesswoman Bad Gal RiRi is expanding her empire with the world’s largest luxury conglomerate LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy). This historic deal marks her as the first female designer of color to receive her own clothing brand with the huge parent company, which also owns Dior, Givenchy, and Fendi.
Details about the contract are currently unknown, but sources close to LVMH have confirmed the partnership. According to these sources, LVMH has already handpicked a number of employees from within the company to work on the project with Rihanna and her associates. The Internet went into a frenzy with speculation when Rihanna stepped out in Manhattan wearing gold shades with her her Fenty brand name spelling out across the temples. Some claimed the star was test-driving a prototype of the sunglasses, while dropping a tease for this next big step in her career.
Rihanna has been a monumental influence in the make-up and fashion world for many years now, with her tenure as the creative director of Puma, successful lingerie line Savage x Fenty, and iconic outfits cementing her as a fashion icon.
The launch of her formidable beauty brand Fenty Beauty in September 2017 changed the way that people of color are treated in the beauty community. Her efforts to create make-up for all skin shades with the creation of 40 shades of Pro Filt'R foundation, shook the beauty community and garnered her international acclaim from industry heavyweights. The undeniable success of Fenty Beauty has compelled other makeup companies to similarly fall in line and expand their range of options for consumers; it’s even been nicknamed The Rihanna Effect.
Her collection with LVMH will span ready-to-wear, leather goods and accessories, and could potentially be released with her ninth album (speculated to come out sometime later this year). Rihanna’s new luxury line signals a shift in focus for LVMH as it continues to diversify its holdings beyond its heritage brands, including investing $2.6 billion in luxury travel operator Belmond Ltd.
Images via: cover photo, Rihanna in gold glasses, Rihanna’s 40 Shades
