Rihanna has had some sort of renaissance when it comes to fashion and style. Her narrative stayed close to the style would present to the public and she is still doing that!
In the Making
Robyn Rihanna Fenty, grabbing the her middle name as her professional name, starred in the industry perfectly timed with the glorious emergence of freestyle pop/ R&B godesses namely Beyonce, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.
These stars had the look, attitude and aura that would go ahead and define the era. Rihanna was a stepping stone, making sure that she played it by the rule book with her signature wavy hair, smouldering eyes, glossy lips- a perfect dream pop star paired with R&B style baggy denims and super crop tops. This was the biggest takeaway a pop star on rise could take in mid-2000s.
Enter edgy hair with more risque and thought provoking "art". This would make Rihanna a household name with her songs hitting the charts. She became a face of recognition with her hairstyle and an album titled 'Good Girl gone Bad' with videos filled with visual narrative impact. This complemented what Rihanna was going to whisper to her listeners.
Urban Touch
All Rihanna had to do was find her voice and an expression that could benefit her and her art. Enter- The Chris Brown Case. This event in Rihanna's propelled her choices into more reserved graphical expression. It made her stronger and made her tell people about this little confession more profoundly. At the same time Rihanna was embracing the avant side of fashion in her videos. A staple of late 2000s, Avant Garde expressions were becoming a soon to be a genre of identity (HARD from her album "Rated R")
Urban Red
Events started forming her identity in the media and as vicious as it gets, media started naming names and pointing fingers. This energy was channelized by her in her most signature look by far- the Urban Red hair. Red as a colour (Taylor Swift followed this suit 2 years down the line with "Red") became what strong, bold and edgy personalities like Rihanna viewers would perceive. Red became a narrative colour and Rihanna started producing songs based on her life a year back. As the album "Loud" (aptly titled) told the stories of her media portrayal, the abusive relationship and the vulnerability through these raw, intimate editorial music videos.
No, Thank you
The angst from the past years never ceased to ease Rihanna's narrative. It demanded her stance and her opinion on it. 'We found love' explained her answer by becoming a leftover from her previous relationship. The portrayal of this look largely attracted the 'hipster look'. Frizzy hair, suspenders, denims become a part of the wardrobe as a response of her becoming a person with a tale to tell in music, loudly and unfiltered.
'Unapologetic' saw her coming on her own terms and this is where she found most freedom of self expression as an individual reflecting her personal life as well. The laid back style maxi dress, slip dresses and straight slick back hair put her into the no nonsense confessional artist. This time also added to the simple wave of minimalism, closer to the baring experience.
Yes, Boss
''Anti'' saw Rihanna's stay in the mainstream and welcomed her into numerous seamless leadership collaborations. Her private life was suddenly not a part of her media life. As she sashayed down the red carpet, no one saw who she was with. It was about her and she was becoming a fashion force to reckon with. She gave herself the moment.
The looks saw a transition from her minimal to statement editorials. This was where she accepted the Urban look. Pretty in no era defining styles but the ones that would put the fashion ahead of its current time. A true influencer.
RIRI
Rihanna's strict business ethic helped her to steer the media's attention to her plans as a business woman. The evolving streetwear look embodied fit and oversize in the same way as her confidence fit to her decisions. Puffer jackets, knit bodycons, feminine edge, beaded dresses- all made her narrative stronger than ever. It was her and her moment that was being talked about.
This was by far the best transition that made Rihanna, a star in her own right. She took control of her narrative and used fashion as a way to command attention to her growth. She had her simple moments but they were the gems she regarded as hers and no one else's to play with. 'Savage x Fenty' was the complete representation of this loud unapologetic behaviour. As she scales new definitions of what a person could achieve and be influential about it, Rihanna would always be the one with a stronger narrative always in fashion!
Embracing Motherhood
Currently, Rihanna has been on the spectrum of being a mother that speaks her heart out! She re-defined maternity by making it an edgy affair as opposed to the image and style associated with Motherhood (celebrity or conventional alike). For her, motherhood is an experience and extension of her and we fall in love with her for that.
Vogue. Image belongs to the rightful owner
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p.s- all images belong to their rightful owners. I do not claim any right over them.
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