Defined as a ‘horror’ and worse Rihanna’s fashion debut at London Fashion week is a terrible fail.
‘The Daily Beast’ described her line as a ‘horror show’, and they were right!
According to the Huffpost, Rihanna was over an hour late starting. Making a crowd wait isn’t unheard of, but an hour?! Everything was badly simplistic. TV-esque, 90’s style, with one piece Baywatch Swimsuit & SJP LA Story, off-shoulder outfit with mini skirt. No flourish or trim and 97% see-through, gauzy material fit for a romance novel cover. She was off-season, presenting in London late and not scheduled as part of ‘Official Fashion Week’.
If I were Rihanna right now, I would be hiding somewhere in a bottle of rum.
There are too many reasons Rihanna’s line was a failure but let’s highlight a few.
Involvement; Rihanna’s direct involvement with River Island creating her line, was small at best. She sent texts and emails, choosing the material samples and giving the OK on design via phone. Nothing more. Despite her sad choices in design and material, the real credit to the line goes elsewhere.
Her line created, sewn and draped by designer Philip Green. Green created the Kate Moss line ($$$$) and brought TopShop from a zero to multi-million dollar hero of retail. Philip Green’s collaboration with rock stars and models have ALWAYS created money. However Rihanna is a a fail and a flake. Why?
Professionalism: River Island directly works with ASOS, Primark, Zara and of course Topshop, all of which Rihanna could have had a stake in with a £800,000 contract. Then she jeopardized that.
Two days before her London debut Rihanna was stupidly bold enough to post pictures of a marijuana bud putting her line and professionalism at question with River Island and the fashion community. Mostly, River Island, who very much said that her tweet of green could kill her contract and to keep things under wraps about her love affair with weed. In the fashion community we don’t care what you do, but don’t let everyone know about it.
Over all the line was simple, sad and see through, I can’t even wear it to bed. The blatant 90’s rip off wear is too much for any serious designer to stomach. Rihanna gets a D- for effort, and if possible an F- for the line.
Back to the drawing board RiRi.
(All photos by Getty/WireImage)
HEATHYRWOLFE.COM 