4 Ways Rihanna Influenced The Fashion Industry

Modernized Fashion Shows
Created a New Definition for Sexy
Normalized Pushing the Envelope
Established a New Standard for Inclusivity

Published: November 4, 2022 Last Updated 7 months ago by FPN SEO

As we gear up for a new era full of iconic performances and music, let’s celebrate the four moments Rihanna changed the direction of the fashion industry.

Rihanna’s impact on the fashion and beauty industry is undeniable. The Barbados-born singer came into the music industry with a BANG. It’s only right that she went into the fashion and beauty industry with acclaimed reviews and praise. She’s known for her eclectic and edgy style and for reshaping the fashion industry with inclusivity, setting a new standard for other luxury brands.

In this article, we’re celebrating Rihanna and her ability to set the tone for other fashion houses. Here are four ways Rihanna influenced and reshaped the fashion industry.

Modernized Fashion Shows

In September 2019, Rihanna launched her second collection of Savage x Fenty and proved that lingerie could be empowering and provocative. She hosted a show like no other, giving Victoria’s Secret a run for its money. The singer included popular acts like Normani and the Migos, among other artists, to perform while a diverse set of models strutted down the catwalk.

This show also included dancing routines and acts that resonated well with the public, helping her gain more than $532 million in impact value within the first week. She made such a lasting impression that many are anticipating this year’s fashion show with new dynamic designs and celebrity guests like Sheryl Lee Ralph and Damson Idris.

Created a New Definition for Sexy

Rihanna created a new definition of cool during her Good Girl Gone Bad era, but she made a new meaning for sexy when she launched Savage x Fenty. Unfortunately, there was a rhetoric that women’s lingerie was exclusively made for the male gaze. However, Rihanna made lingerie for people to feel empowered and confident.

Savage x Fenty created a space for anyone and everyone to feel safe and confident in their skin. Her line is also size-inclusive, ranging in sizes from XXS to 4X.

Normalized Pushing the Envelope

The worldwide superstar has always been known for pushing the envelope in her clothing, lyrics, and commentary. However, when she created the luxurious clothing brand Fenty, she put all those stylish qualities into one. Rihanna influenced the fashion industry with her cutting-edge designs and slender sunglasses.

Her attire makes loungewear and T-shirt dresses look like a million bucks. Rihanna’s goal was to ensure that her designs work on an array of body types, not just hers. Fenty is the first brand created from the “ground” up by luxury conglomerate LVMH since 1987. She’s also the first woman of color to own a luxury fashion house.

Established a New Standard for Inclusivity

When Fenty Beauty launched in 2017, Rihanna influenced the beauty industry heavily. Black women struggled to find a foundation to match their skin tone for many years due to a lack of shades. However, Ms. Fenty offers over 50 shades and 50 concealers to match. Many beauty lines followed suit after seeing her brand make over $100 million within the first few weeks of launching.

Since launching, Fenty Beauty has remained on top of the beauty industry and is worth over $1 billion. Rihanna is experimenting with more ventures like skincare and perfume to expand her legacy within the fashion and beauty industry.