Mills 446 Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share Posted February 17, 2013 Rihanna at River Island: celebrity cash-in or birth of a new designer? Celebrity collaborations in the world of fashion are nothing new. But what is remarkable about River Island's new collection at London fashion week, created by the pop star Rihanna, is that the affordable high street store managed to secure the design consultancy of music's current enfant terrible. River Island came up trumps when it signed the Barbadian singer. It might not have been an obvious choice, but only Beyonc̩ is bigger and Rihanna's wild design style Рit veers between eccentric quirkiness, avant-garde fashionista, steely dominatrix and classical elegance (check out that Scarlett O'Hara number she wore to the Grammys last weekend) Рappeals to a generation beleaguered by their very own identity crisis. Importantly, Rihanna wants to design. In 2010, she created a capsule collection for Giorgio Armani and was praised by the Italian designer for her efforts. "Rihanna is a great artist," he said in May last year, after creating her second range of T-shirts, denim pieces, leather jackets, underwear and bags. "She has personality, charisma and energy, and has been a pleasure to work with. She captures the young and contemporary essence of Armani Jeans perfectly." But is she going to cut it as a bona fide designer? The industry is notoriously sceptical about the idea of untrained designers putting their clothes on the catwalk Рespecially those who appear just to be cashing in on their name. Her London fashion week show saw models posed on a set that consisted of six nightclub podiums. They wore a series of outfits in the style of the singer: slashed to the thigh jersey dresses, midriff-revealing tops, big hoop earrings and baseball caps that are sure to be a hit with River Island customers. Model of the moment Cara Delevingne in cutoff denim hot pants and over-the-knee leather boots sat front row with model friend Jourdan Dunn, both whooping with delight throughout. Rihanna took her bow in a black jersey minidress with her stylist, Mel Ottenberg. Earlier, the singer said her designs would have broad appeal: "The theme throughout this collection was easy, laid-back chic. Flirty, not very conservative, but I think everyone can wear this line. It's not costume-y, not too s-xy, it's just very simple." But for keen fashion enthusiasts who look to London for innovative ideas this 120-piece collection undoubtedly fell short. There is little doubt the collaboration, which is supported by a marketing campaign featuring Dunn, will be a winner when it hits the shops next month. Whether it is the start of a new career for Ri-Ri remains to be seen. Her Twitter feed will perhaps have a few River Island executives now following her to see if it's a duet that can last. Here's the full article. *** Here are some photos from the event: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
misanthrope 15 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I find Rihanna fake as hell. LOVE her for what she is.... but this whole ballad phase with her trying to pass herself off as a legitimate artist... I'm here for the Rude Boys and We Found Loves. I don't think shes trying to pass herself off as a legitimate artist just because she sometimes makes ballads. Its all still very pop you know. I think its more about her showing diversity. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
misanthrope 15 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Her fashion show was critically panned. I'm watching it right now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mic 1,415 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Well I think that artist who relases album every year and has songs written by other people is not really an artist. Creative process needs time and effort. In Rihanna's case it looks like she is accepting/denying material producers/PR specialists offer her. She sings well, but even if lyrics are good i just can't really feel the message. If you know what I mean. Anyway it's interesting that when Gaga was in the spotlight 2009-2011 people where moaning about her and telling that there is too much of her etc. while Rihanna is almost always in that state. I think that the last single is meant to change her image to not bore GP. No hate ofc, I like some of her songs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
misanthrope 15 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Well I think that artist who relases album every year and has songs written by other people is not really an artist. Creative process needs time and effort. In Rihanna's case it looks like she is accepting/denying material producers/PR specialists offer her. She sings well, but even if lyrics are good i just can't really feel the message. If you know what I mean. Anyway it's interesting that when Gaga was in the spotlight 2009-2011 people where moaning about her and telling that there is too much of her etc. while Rihanna is almost always in that state. I think that the last single is meant to change her image to not bore GP. No hate ofc, I like some of her songs. Shes a manufactured pop star with enough attitude to take the reigns of her career more than other manufactured pop stars. I don't think anyone here is trying to argue that shes truly substantial. But despite churning out albums yearly like a factory I think she does put a good portion of herself into what she does. That doesn't make it substantial but I don't think its quite as empty as some people who choose not to pay close attention may think. As for overexposure, shes never really suffered from it. Excluding her first 2 albums which I don't really count because she had yet to come into her own, the only era where she was overshadowed was Rated R. Had she taken an extended break she probably would've lost some traction and I believe she or her camp were savvy enough to know that. Shes not allowed to slow her roll and in doing so has solidified herself in pop culture forever. Shes easy to digest but not to a point that shes boring/indistinguishable (like Katy Perry). Above all I think what makes her shine is her sense of style, its dope. I believe shes intentionally supposed to be taken at face value as well. But there will always be people who take certain artists seriously that in our opinion shouldn't be taken seriously. I know people that take Jennifer Lopez seriously as a pop artist and I couldn't even begin to comprehend why but what can you do. You just have to try being as objective and knowledgeable as possible. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rihsus 0 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I love Slay's video. Rihsus tbh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bat 6,162 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Rihanna looked flawless at the fashion show, very simple and elegant in a lil black dress! Love it! <3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
VICKILEEKX 1 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 The collection is okay. I can see that many people will buy the clothes because they are simple . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jxckk 959 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Can't wait for the tour to begin! I'm hoping that it's not like the LOUD Tour which was just recycled ideas from Last Girl On Earth Tour. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alien Tulip 12,428 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Apparently Rihanna got hit by a fan last night. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lum 315 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Apparently Rihanna got hit by a fan last night. http://cdn.mediatakeout.com/61290/mto-exclusive-breaking-news-crazed-fan-hit-rihanna-with-a-bottle-rihanna-left-bloody-and-her-bodyguard-is-rushed-to-hospital-pics.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alien Tulip 12,428 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 http://cdn.mediatake...pital-pics.html Crazy. I can't take her seriously though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rihsus 0 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 http://cdn.mediatake...pital-pics.html Smh, she should caught him. Haha. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonsterVSAnimal 0 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Sliced open her leg? Bitch it looked like a small paper cut xD. But aww I feel bad for her.! D; Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingAlanI 3 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I really don't like Phresh Out The Runway and Numb. I like Nobody's Business as a song, but don't want to hear about her being back with Chris. I love Diamonds. I'm ambivalent to the rest of Unapologetic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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