Rihanna and LVMH Are Teaming Up for a Luxury Fashion Line [UPDATED]
Rihanna at the New York City premiere of "Ocean's 8." Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
In just a few short years, between her collaboration with Puma, her Savage x Fenty lingerie collections and her own Fenty Beauty line, Rihanna has established herself as a leader in both the fashion and beauty realms. But it seems the superstar has an even bigger project in her future, at least according to a report by WWD, which claims that Rihanna is launching her very own luxury brand with LVMH.
A simple pair of sunglasses kicked off rumors that Rihanna had more up her sleeve than just a potential new album. Emblazoned with the "Fenty" logo, sources tell WWD that the gold shades are a prototype being tested by the designer herself. Further sources indicate to the trade that LVMH has brought employees from its other brands, like Celine and Louis Vuitton, to work on Rihanna's new project.
It certainly seems like everything Rihanna has touched turns to gold, so it's no surprise that LVMH would be interested in adding her talents to their stable of blue-chip brands. Notably, Rihanna has also recently filed suit against her father for use of the Fenty trademark. We've reached out to LVMH for comment and will update this post as new information becomes available.
UPDATED, Fri. May 10, 8:26 a.m.: On Friday, LVMH and Rihanna officially confirmed their collaboration on a luxury fashion brand, called Fenty. This makes her the first woman to create an original brand at LVMH, as well as the first woman of color to helm a LVMH maison. The fashion house will include ready-to-wear, jewelry and accessories, and is set to present its first collection in Paris on May 22.
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"Everybody knows Rihanna as a wonderful singer, but through our partnership at Fenty Beauty, I discovered a true entrepreneur, a real CEO and a terrific leader. She naturally finds her full place within LVMH," Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH, said in a statement. "To support Rihanna to start up the Fenty Maison, we have built a talented and multicultural team supported by the group resources. I am proud that LVMH is leading this venture and wish it will be a great success."
Rihanna echoed Arnault's sentiments, calling the chance to design the luxury brand an "incredibly special moment" for both her and LVMH.
“Mr. Arnault has given me a unique opportunity to develop a fashion house in the luxury sector, with no artistic limits. I couldn’t imagine a better partner both creatively and business-wise, and I’m ready for the world to see what we have built together," she said in the statement.
According to Business of Fashion, LVMH has committed €30 million in cash to the venture, while Rihanna has committed nearly €30 million of "in-kind" contributions, represented by her time, her name and her name's worth.
The brand revealed its logo on Friday as well, on its new (yet still rather empty) website, Fenty.com.
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