The (Power) House of Fenty

Rihanna has always been a phenomenon that envelops me in a comforting aura. I rarely think of her as an individual; instead, she embodies a movement—a project, an experiment that just works.

She is direct, honest, and, some would argue, rude. But honestly, that label is merely a crutch for insecure individuals who can't handle straightforward communication. I despise that word.

The people who epitomize what it means to be "rude" are often the very ones who cannot communicate. Their indifference, silence, and lack of engagement strike me as the real rudeness.

Rihanna is assertive and dominating. She’s a punk at heart who seems to care little about societal norms. I recognize those traits all too well. They’ve often held me back in life and career. Men frequently act as gatekeepers, blocking my path to the next level of the video game we call life. Ninety-five percent of the time, they don’t let me pass unless I stroke their egos long enough to gain entry. I refuse to be agreeable or play games; I’m intense, and in many ways, women are told not to embody these qualities if they want to succeed. Ironically, we should embrace them.

Rihanna fascinates me. She possesses those same qualities yet continues to ascend level after level. Was she already too famous and valuable to be challenged? Had she become so profitable that the men around her permitted her to be unyielding? It's possible. But it raises the age-old question: What comes first, the chicken or the egg? Today, we recognize her talent and power—she is undoubtedly valuable. But before we knew the Rihanna of today, when she was just a talented singer striving for global influence, did she possess that same assertive, no-nonsense demeanor that the patriarchy despises? How did she achieve her monumental success while staying true to herself?

Consider this: Rihanna is not your typical American sweetheart. One could argue she’s the polar opposite. Her secret captivates me. A male-dominated society often punishes women like Rihanna, withholding access to the next level of success. Yes, they may allow fame, success, and wealth, but total power? World domination? That is the ultimate fear—an empowered woman who can command attention and influence.

Her impact in the beauty industry was no surprise. Those labeled as "rude" often possess the greatest empathy, misunderstood by those who can’t handle honest conversations. Rihanna's sensitivity to the beauty industry's exclusivity led her to create a brand centered around inclusiveness. Fenty Beauty has set the standard in the industry, showcasing her limitless creativity. Even if she never produced another song, her contributions to culture are monumental.

However, I was genuinely surprised last week when her collaboration with the French luxury giant LVMH was announced. Not surprised by her talent—Rihanna is intrinsically attuned to numerous forms of artistic expression—but by what she accomplished in this partnership.

As a woman and designer, it’s incredibly challenging to maintain control over your brand while navigating investments and preserving artistic freedom. Rihanna is a celebrity of the highest caliber, yes, but the specifics of her deal are nothing short of mind-blowing. Celebrities often lend their names to brands for a constant revenue stream without significant effort. Rihanna chose a different path.

She partnered with LVMH—the company behind the world’s most prestigious luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fendi, and Givenchy—to launch FENTY, the first high-end luxury fashion brand LVMH has created from scratch since Christian Lacroix, making her the first woman of color to do so. With no artistic limits placed upon her, this achievement is staggering.

But the real gem in this story lies in this next detail: Rihanna holds a 49.99% stake in the venture. While LVMH invested 30 million Euros, Rihanna invested “30 million Euros worth of her time.” She didn’t simply lend her name or invest money for someone else to design; she monetized her time and reputation, proving she is worth 30 million—not cash, but her very essence.

As Lainey Gossip aptly noted:

"What I’m excited about is that we don’t often hear the figures laid out like this, particularly where women are concerned. Women’s value is usually measured in feelings, which don’t pay for things. Women don’t often tell us what their value is as measured by a number next to a dollar sign because, of course, we’ve been conditioned to place more value on our feelings which has been a way to keep us away from the f-cking money."

Rihanna has feelings for sure. She’s just made sure to tell us that her feelings are worth something. Lots of things. Lots of money things. Her feelings, her ideas, her WORK is now worth transforming her name into a brand-new high-end fashion label!"

There hasn’t been a more boss-ass move in a long time than this one. This woman of color has achieved this in a luxury market dominated by European men, all while retaining creative control. She is unapologetically herself—not an agreeable woman taking directions for the benefit of rich white men, but a powerhouse equal to their luxury houses. Or perhaps even more so? After all, they needed to invest 30 million Euros in real money while she monetized her time, reputation, and feelings to the same value. Jab? Absolutely!

All hail Rihanna—a goddess of many realms.