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Rihanna
Rihanna Stephane Feugere/WWD

Rihanna 

Rihanna, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on Feb. 20, 1998, is a singer, businesswoman and fashion icon. Signed to Def Jam at 16 years old in 2004, when Jay-Z was the then-president of the record label, the Bajan talent first captivated audiences with her edgy pop-themed music, including the Grammy-winning single “Umbrella,” the ballad “Diamonds” and the hit “Don’t Stop the Music.”  

She's also long captivated fans with her style, mixing streetwear elements with high fashion. She has even collaborated with major fashion players, including Dior, Manolo Blahnik, Armani, Chopard and Puma on collections.  

She won the Fashion Icon award at the 2014 CFDA Fashion Awards wearing a completely sheer, sparkling Adam Selman dress covered in Swarovski crystals. That same year, she assumed the role of creative director of Puma, releasing the sub-brand Fenty x Puma a year later, which offered a platform suede creeper sneaker.  

Her power in the fashion industry hit new heights in 2019 when she announced her Fenty fashion line with LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, which marked the first time a Black woman headed a brand under the company. (The fashion house was paused in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic.)  

The line came two years after she debuted Fenty Beauty — one of the most successful celebrity beauty launches — which also sits within LVMH, as part of Kendo, the company's beauty incubator. 

Fenty launched at Sephora with 40 shades of Pro Filt'r foundation meant to suit a wide range of skin tones. The launch altered the landscape of the beauty industry, and prompted many brands to launch deeper complexion shades. In December 2018, Fenty Beauty won the WWD Beauty Inc Award for Digital Innovator of the Year. 

Rihanna championed inclusivity again with the 2018 launch of Savage x Fenty, a lingerie and loungewear brand that recentered the idea of intimatewear on the female gaze. Rihanna held her inaugural Savage x Fenty fashion show during New York Fashion Week in 2018, with models of all different sizes and dancers wearing sneakers. Since 2019, she has partnered with Amazon Prime Video to livestream the shows on the platform.  

In 2023, Rihanna returned to Puma as the creative director of Fenty x Puma. 

Rihanna

Everything You Need to Know About Rihanna’s Fenty Skin Brand

The highly anticipated beauty line is almost here.

How Rihanna Built Her Fashion and Beauty Empire

Fenty Skin is just the latest addition to the singer's portfolio.

Farfetch Scores Exclusive Fenty Partnership

The retailer will be Fenty's exclusive digital partner.

Hood by Air Returns to Fashion Scene With Shayne Oliver Leading the Way

Imagining a better and more united future is part of Oliver's new strategy.

The Evolution of Rihanna’s Denim Style

Rivet rounded up the top denim street style looks from award-winning music artist, fashion designer and…

The Evolution of Kanye West’s Denim Style

Denim has long been a foundation of Kanye West's wardrobe, even for major red carpet moments.

Outside View: Black Unison — Voices of Makeup Artists

Journalist and stylist Zadrian Smith in conversation with Black makeup artists Ashunta Sheriff-Kendricks, Sir…

Megan Thee Stallion, Rihanna Team Up for New Savage x Fenty Lingerie Campaign

"Meg is the energy we were looking for," said Rihanna.

LVMH Deal Catapults Rihanna Onto Sunday Times of London Rich List

Other millionaires and billionaires living in the U.K., including Queen Elizabeth and François-Henri Pinault…

LVMH Cancels Prize Final, Launches Solidarity Fund

The fund in aid of young fashion designers will benefit previous winners of both the main award and its…

Rihanna Receives PETA’s Compassion in Fashion Award, Makes Top 40 History

Rihanna recently became the 10th artist to have more than 50 hits on the Top 40.

The View From Event Agencies

Brands seen focusing on essentials, and reducing waste, in the aftermath.

Rihanna, Stella McCartney and Virgil Abloh Join LVMH Prize Jury

The LVMH Prize jury was unveiled alongside the eight finalists for the seventh edition of the award.

3 Ways Rihanna Electrified the Fashion and Beauty Industries

In celebration of the multi-hyphenate's 32nd birthday, WWD looks back at how her many businesses have shaped…

Going Commando in Denim

The intimates brand is also updating its assortment of bralettes, gym-to-swim pieces, leggings and more.