Rihanna: running it from record labels to runways

Curious about what the singer has been up to lately? Find out here!

By Erin Fogerty

Rihanna has been shining like the brightest diamond in the fashion world ever since her album “Unapologetic” dropped last November.

The singer first wowed audiences with her fashion statements during her Victoria Secret Fashion show performances. When the Barbados native hit the stage to perform her new single “Diamonds” she wore a vintage-inspired, black corset gown that was cut to the thigh.

The Grammys were the next stop for Rihanna on her fashion world tour. The singer, who gave two live performances and took home a Grammy for “Best Short Form Music Video,” made everyone’s “Best Dressed” list. Rihanna showed up to the Grammy red carpet in a sheer red chiffon Azzedine Alaia gown. For her performance of her hit single “Stay” the pop artist changed into a floor length, bodycon black dress.

Rihanna gave an intimate performance of “Stay” which garnered a standing ovation from audience members including her on-again, off-again boyfriend and fellow singer Chris Brown. Rihanna, who usually dons sky-high heels and little to no clothes, stuck to a simple black dress.

Rihanna returned to the stage for a Bob Marley musical tribute in a more flirty two-piece Archive Luciano Soprani dress. The sequined outfit, which exposed her midriff and her infamous Goddess Isis tattoo located right below her chest, was the artist’s sexiest look of the night. Well, that is if you don’t count her barely there, all white look she wore at the Island Def Jam Grammy After Party.

After a successful night of fashion at the Grammys, it was time for the 24-year-old singer to prepare for the launch of her River Island clothing line. This past summer, Rihanna confirmed that she was designing a collection for one of her favorite high end, street clothing companies. Soon after Rihanna shared this information with her Twitter followers, River Island’s chief executive Ben Lewis released a statement.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Rihanna and be the first fashion brand to work with her in this way,” Lewis said.

Rihanna debuted her collection for River Island during London Fashion Week. The nine minute fashion show featured music by Jay-z, Kanye West and the pop princess herself. Models worked their way through a multi-level platform stage as music blared and lights flashed. The untraditional runway show featured models that looked like mannequins, posing in a variety of colorful store windows.

The Rihanna for River Island collection screams Rihanna. The collection features crop tops, revealing cuts, bright colors, maxi dresses and boyfriend-style denim. Her ‘90s inspired ready-to-wear designs retail between $45 and $350 and are available for purchase on River Island’s website.

The pop artist also just announced that she will be collaborating with MAC to make a series of make-up collections, to be launched in early May.
Rihanna is not just making waves in music but in both the fashion and beauty industries. With the Rihanna for River Island collection and the four RiRi<3Mac collections, fans can now dress, smell and look like the pop star.

The 24-year-old is proving that her talents go beyond her ability to sell out world tours and continually make number one hits.