Rihanna, who will appear on the cover of Vogue Australia's May issue, is not only a formidable fashion force ,she also strives to make a difference. In the accompanying article, Australia's first-ever female Prime Minister, the Hon. Julia Gillard, talks about joining forces with Rihanna who is an ambassador for her global education crusade.
The two women met over a casual dinner in New York in 2016. “We knew that the Global Partnership for Education would be aiming for a major replenishment campaign in 2018 and that Rihanna’s advocacy would really matter in the run-up to this,” Gillard says. “She also rightly wanted to touch and feel the work on the ground, so that’s what created the Malawi trip [in 2017].”
Rihanna and Gillard made a three-day visit to Malawi where the singer impressed the former PM with her enthusiasm for getting involved. “We’ve had some really interesting conversations and clearly since spending time with her, I’ve become a fan,” Gillard says. “Not only of the music but more importantly a fan of her work and the efforts she’s prepared to make to uplift the education of every child around the world.”
In the new Vogue issue, Rihanna appears on the cover in a pale pink Savage X Fenty slip dress layered under two trench coats. She also wears emerald heels and chunky hoop earrings. The singer was photographed by Josh Olins and styled by fashion director Christine Centenera, while her cornrows were the work of Yusef Williams and Naphia and her makeup was done by Priscilla Ono. The makeup was unsurprisingly Fenty Beauty with kohl liner, highlighter on her cheeks and a matte lip.
Inside, Rihanna appears in a variety of striking poses. In one shot, she wears an Olivier Theyskens’ Tidea corset slip dress under a Marc Jacobs coat. The Tidea dress, which is not yet available, is from the Belgian designer’s SS19 collection.
Last week, Bernard Arnault, chairman and chief executive of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH), during a presentation to more than 2,000 shareholders, spoke about his collaboration with Rihanna. Her Fenty Beauty line generated nearly $560 million in revenue for the company. Arnault, however, is still keeping fans in suspense regarding the upcoming launch of Rihanna’s fashion brand, which has been named Project Loud France, a nod to the singer’s 2010 album Loud.
The brand will reportedly develop fashions for women, men, and children, as well as footwear, eyewear, leather goods, sportswear, lifestyle goods, high-tech products, office supplies, home decor, and garden products. According to WWD, Rihanna has recruited Jean-Baptiste Voisin, LVMH’s chief strategy officer, to be Project Loud Fashion’s president.
RELATED: 10 Rihanna Quotes That Describe Life Perfectly
LVMH, which will reportedly hold a 51 percent stake in the brand, is keeping the project tightly guarded. “I appreciate your interest in Rihanna. I am [interested] too, she’s an extraordinary singer,” Arnault said. “But we like surprises…. As it’s a surprise, I will not tell you more.”
Rihanna also appears on the cover of the May issue of Harper’s Bazaar US's Beauty Issue. Vogue Australia's May issue goes on sale Monday April 29.
