More than 20 years in the past, Rihanna kicked down the doorways of the music trade along with her single “Pon de Replay,” which turned successful when she was simply 17. Since then, she has grown to be one of the vital recognizable—and beloved—musicians of all time. She has gained 9 Grammy Awards and is the youngest-ever solo performer with 14 No. 1 singles; however that’s only the start. With her multifaceted profession, she has redefined what a strong-willed, forward-thinking artist may be.
In 2017, the Right Excellent Robyn Rihanna Fenty—as she is understood in her native Barbados, the place she has the designation of National Hero—set a brand new trade normal with Fenty Beauty, a variety of cosmetics that catered to greater than 40 shades of pores and skin tone. The following 12 months, she launched Savage x Fenty, a lingerie line with choices in sizes XS to 4XL. She has had quite a few collaborations with labels as diverse as Puma and Chopard, and her Fenty label, created in partnership with LVMH, merged excessive vogue with road model. The Savage x Fenty runway exhibits, typically held in stadium-size areas with public entry, ushered in a brand new class of numerous fashions and an aesthetic that promoted inclusivity lengthy earlier than it was a buzzword.
Rihanna additionally solidified a long-standing friendship that changed into a relationship along with her now companion, the rapper (and magnificence icon) A$AP Rocky. In 2022, she gave beginning to their first youngster, Rza, having publicly acknowledged her need to be a mom for a number of years. Riot, their second son, arrived in 2023, adopted by a daughter, Rocki, in 2025. Even her most personal moments led to a zeitgeist shift: During her pregnancies, Rihanna upended the expectations round maternity put on, accenting her spherical stomach in edgy designs. She wore a skintight crimson Loewe catsuit through the 2023 Super Bowl, the place she revealed her second being pregnant to greater than 121 million viewers whereas acting on a suspended platform. She’s impressed a complete technology of expectant ladies, who may need in any other case felt pressured to shroud their rising our bodies, to be free.
Chanel Haute Couture jacket.
There is not any specific secret to how Rihanna has completed all this: She has smashed glass ceilings and blasted her approach into the popular culture stratosphere by being herself. She’ll, say, ask Mariah Carey to autograph her chest after seeing her in live performance, or DM her favourite Real Housewives. It may seem to be a no brainer now, however in her early days, when celebrities relied on synthetic, fastidiously curated photos, her openness felt revolutionary. To today, Rihanna appears at all times desperate to take possibilities and make an announcement. The story you see right here, for example, a vogue fantasy photographed by Tim Walker, marks Rocki’s first public look—wearing a Dior Haute Couture diaper and headpiece that the designer Jonathan Anderson created only for her.
The ultrachic child outfit is a tiny instance of the inspiring partnerships which have made Rihanna such a beloved cultural determine. With that in thoughts, we requested a few of her buddies, collaborators, and fellow legends: What does it really seem like, up shut, to be Rihanna? The image that emerges is that of a singular artist, a mogul, and a mom who’s unflinchingly resilient and at all times seeking to lead quite than observe.
Givenchy by Sarah Burton customized coat, shirt, and skirt; Cartier Collection necklace; classic Vivienne Westwood belt; Christian Louboutin boots.
You and Rihanna have recognized one another for a very long time, and have been collectively for a number of years. How has she modified?
A$AP Rocky, musician, actor, and companion to Rihanna: She has modified so much as a result of she turned a mom in that point span, and that definitely modifications you. But this lady has at all times been magic. Philosophically, the way in which she operates is on one other degree. She is essentially the most charming and real particular person on Earth. Her vitality is unmatched—considered one of a form. I simply adore her.
What’s one thing you get pleasure from doing collectively?
A$AP Rocky: We have so lots of the identical pursuits. We had been hooked on watching documentaries, just like the Bob Marley one. Watching movies collectively is so enjoyable. We should’ve watched El Cantante 15 instances.
Dior Haute Couture tailcoat with pearl brooch, bustier, and skirt; Dior shirt and collar; Stephen Jones Millinery hat; Cartier Collection brooches.
Can you summarize Rihanna in a single sentence?
Pharrell Williams, musician and designer: She’s a pressure.
How has Rihanna modified the music trade?
Mary J. Blige, musician: Rihanna utterly raised the bar and elevated the sport. She is a vogue icon. She was dropping smashes back-to-back and bringing extra consciousness to dancehall combined with R&B.
When did you first meet Rihanna?
Mariah Carey, musician: I used to be launched to Rihanna when she was about 17 years outdated, by our mutual buddy Jay-Z. She was simply getting began, and I had a sense she was going to be a significant star. She’s an actual woman’s woman.
At your 2024 live performance, Rihanna requested you to signal her chest. What’s it like having her at your exhibits?
Carey: She brings such nice vitality! The chest-signing second was a li’l out of the extraordinary, however I believed it was hilarious!
Prada customized high, skirt, and briefs; Chopard Haute Joaillerie earring; Lydia Courteille rings; stylist’s personal scarf.
You cowrote and had been featured on the track “Consideration,” which was on Rihanna’s final album, Anti, in 2016. What’s it like working along with her?
SZA, musician: She is aware of precisely what she desires. Her style degree is tremendous distinctive. The second she heard “Consideration,” she didn’t hesitate. She mentioned, “This one!” It was the good factor I had made on the time. I couldn’t imagine she thought it was cool too. Very fever dream–coded!
What’s a standout reminiscence you’ve of her?
SZA: We had been about to carry out on the Brit Awards in 2016. I had no expertise and undoubtedly didn’t know the place the hell I used to be or what this meant. It was instructed that I principally put on a curtain and disappear, and after I advised her, she instantly mentioned, “Hell, no! We need you to look hot!” She made positive I obtained to select no matter I wished and appeared cute. That’s how I ended up in booty shorts and fishnets for my first tv efficiency.
Rihanna was your costar within the 2013 movie This Is the End. What’s your favourite reminiscence of her?
Jonah Hill, actor: After we shot This Is the End, I bumped into her at a bar, and it was my birthday. She had a joint and was beneficiant sufficient to share with my buddies, and considered one of my buddies obtained so stoned that she pooped her pants. Rihanna has that “make your friends shit their pants” weed.
Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood corset; Givenchy by Sarah Burton customized shirt; Alaïa pants; Vaquera cap; David Webb earrings; The Back Vault earrings and brooches (on sneakers); Cartier Collection brooch (at neckline); Manolo Blahnik sneakers; classic cane from Joseph Saidian and Sons, New York.
When did you first meet Rihanna?
Paloma Elsesser, mannequin: At the primary Fenty Beauty shoot in 2017. I used to be nervous however so excited as a result of I’m a real Rihanna stan. She expressed her gratitude for my being there and individually got here as much as each woman, providing honest compliments. It was so insanely cool coming from the baddest bitch alive! Rihanna is highly effective and comes on her time. Once she’s there, she is a commanding pressure—at all times delivering and bringing a potent and current vitality.
What are three classes you’ve discovered from Rihanna which have helped your profession?
Elsesser: Never deviate out of your imaginative and prescient, convey your pals with you, and by no means give a fuck.
What is a standout reminiscence you’ve of Rihanna?
Elsesser: Her scent. <3
Balenciaga customized jacket, shirt, shorts, and hat; Boucheron High Jewelry earrings and brooch (on hat); Amina Muaddi boots.
How did you meet Rihanna? What was your first impression of her?
Sarah Paulson, actor: It was on the set of Ocean’s 8 [in which Rihanna played Nine Ball, a computer hacker], and I keep in mind pondering she was the one most electrifying creature I’d ever laid eyes on. She appeared reserved, and that shocked me. She hadn’t finished a ton of performing at this level, so I used to be struck by how a lot listening and watching she was doing. She was taking all of it in, like a smart particular person.
What is a standout reminiscence you’ve of Rihanna?
Paulson: My companion, Holland Taylor, visited me on set after we had been capturing the heist scene on the Met. Rihanna was on this lovely crimson gown, and when Holland noticed her she let loose a yelp, like, “Holy God.” Rihanna mentioned to her, “You know what? You’re the MVP.” Holland went, “Why?” And she mentioned, “Because you’ve got to put up with her,” and she or he pointed to me. Holland to today will say to me, “Remember—even Rihanna knew what I have to deal with with your ass.” And I can’t argue with it. It was essentially the most appropriate evaluation. There was part of Rihanna that I knew loved how loopy I used to be—we laughed so much. I used to be at all times freestyling, making an attempt to give you songs that I believed might be her subsequent No. 1. She would take a look at me like, “You can’t sing. Your lyrics aren’t bad, but what you’re doing vocally is upsetting.”
Yohji Yamamoto archive coat; Schiaparelli high; Dior hat; Amina Muaddi boots.
What was it like working with Rihanna in your 2019 movie, Guava Island?
Donald Glover, musician and actor: She got here in very relaxed and malleable. She’d learn and memorized every little thing already, however requested quite a lot of questions on what her character was in search of. It was cool to see her dive into it with no actual concern of vulnerability. She simply got here in able to play, which was actually refreshing.
What’s a standout reminiscence you’ve of her?
Glover: When she got here to the home in Cuba earlier than filming to only chat and meet my son. She bent right down to his degree and mentioned, “How are you, little man?” And my son mentioned nothing however then put his entire fist in his mouth. He’d by no means finished that earlier than, nor has he after. I laughed for the remainder of the day. I feel her aura was simply an excessive amount of for him.
What was it like assembly Rihanna in 2024 after years of citing her as an inspiration?
Ayra Starr, musician: It was one of the vital superb emotions, like two sisters, finest buddies reuniting after being aside for a very long time. That’s my matriarch! Don’t play.
What is a crucial reminiscence you’ve of Rihanna?
Starr: Sitting along with her whereas we watched my music movies. The incontrovertible fact that she was declaring her favourite elements felt so unreal. It truthfully felt like a dream watching somebody I’ve appeared as much as, listened to, and admired my entire life really see me and recognize my music. At the time, I used to be fighting my self-image and confidence, in order that second meant every little thing. It felt like God had despatched her to me.
Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello robe; Christian Louboutin boots.
You’ve made hats for Rihanna for greater than a decade. What’s it like working along with her?
Stephen Jones, milliner: The first one I made for her was in 2009: slightly high hat she wore to a Dior Haute Couture present. She’s actually into hats, she loves dressing up, and she or he doesn’t see it as a problem. She’s an energetic participant within the artistic course of.
What’s a standout reminiscence you’ve of Rihanna?
Jones: When I used to be making her a hat [that resembled a pope’s mitre] for the 2018 Met Gala. We went into her rest room with a couple of totally different hats to strive on. I mentioned, “How do you want to look?” She replied, “Funny enough, nobody has asked me that. I want to look pretty.” I mentioned, “The hat is quite heavy with all the embroidery,” and she or he mentioned, “Have you seen the shoes? The hat is not the problem.”
What was it like working along with her on this W shoot?
Jones: She loves enjoying. After the newest Dior Haute Couture present, she wore one of many headpieces out for a celebration. She is as dedicated to vogue as vogue is dedicated to her.
Valentino customized gown; Valentino Haute Couture hat; stylist’s personal veil and tights.
What’s a standout reminiscence you’ve of Rihanna?
Jonathan Anderson, artistic director of Dior: During the Super Bowl, in a rest room. I’ve by no means met somebody so emotionally open, and who makes you’re feeling relaxed and is open to collaborating on any degree. I feel every little thing that she does comes from a state of kindness—it’s very uncommon in somebody.
How is working along with her totally different from working with different celeb Dior ambassadors?
Anderson: She is aware of precisely who she is and what works on her. She is aware of interpret your artistic imaginative and prescient and make it her personal.
For this W shoot, there have been some particular couture gadgets, like child Rocki’s diaper and headpiece. How did these come about?
Anderson: The high fashion diaper is unquestionably a primary for Dior. When Rihanna asks for one thing, she is already forward of what’s taking place. She is pondering exterior the field. When she has an thought, I’m at all times trusting within the course of. I belief her implicitly on something she feels that’s proper to do.
Hair by Mustafa Yanaz at Art + Commerce; make-up by Daniel Sällström at MA+ Group; manicure by Jenny Longworth at Streeters. Featuring Fenty Beauty, Fenty Hair, and Fenty Skin. Set design by Miguel Bento. Movement course by Pat Boguslawski.
Produced by 138 Productions; Executive Producer: Simon Malivindi; Producer: Ashleigh Hayward; Lighting Director: Paul Burns; Photo Assistants: Antonio Perricone, Daniel Serrato; Digital Technician: Tony Ivanov; Gaffer: Quentin Play; Sparks: Jérôme Fabre, Teddy Moireau; Postproduction: Retouch and Print; PRINTING: GRAEME BULCRAIG AT RETOUCH AND PRINT; Production Coordinator: Géraldine Morat; Location Manager: Geoffroy Hassoun; Location Manager Assistant: Michael Chandlee; Production Assistants: Dejan Trajkov, Merlin Cigare, Maïa Constantin, Adrian Dohna, Flora Blin, Pierre Ménard, Antoine Chatenet; first Fashion Assistant: Amir Dayi; Fashion Assistants: Gabriel Lahanque, Alexis Landolfi; Tailor: Chantal Tin; Hair Assistants: Sofien Semmache, Sarah Itoua; Makeup Assistant: Martina Derosa; Special Thanks: DJ Andy and Liwan.
