This year marks Edward Enninful’s first September issue as editor-in-chief of British Vogue, so it was always bound to be a biggie. What he’s created, however, is an utter show-stopper.
On Tuesday night the prestigious issue was revealed, announcing singer and style entrepreneur Rihanna as the fashion bible’s cover star.
The 30-year-old has made history by becoming the first black woman to front the cover of British Vogue’s September issue in its 102-year history. It continues Enninful’s goal to diversify and champion inclusivity thorough the widely-read publication; his first cover at the title, featuring model Adwoa Aboah, marked only the third time a black model had starred on the cover alone.
The September cover shows Rihanna in a way never seen before. Our initial question being, where are her eyebrows?
The bold creative direction sees her normally bushy brows covered up with retro thinly drawn-on pen. But, Rihanna being Rihanna, still manages to work the look.
Styled by Enninful, shot by Nick Knight, with beauty by Isamaya French, the shoot brings together a whole host of fashion industry heavy weights. The creative direction of which Enninful says was a collaboration with RiRi: “It’s always a collaboration with you. That’s what I love,” he says in a behind-the-scenes video interview with the singer.
Rihanna’s influence can be seen throughout the shoot. The star’s make-up looks were created using products from her own Fenty Beauty line and she wore a Savage x Fenty lace body on the cover.
The feature inside the book is equally as eye-catching and sees Rihanna modelling looks from the likes of McQueen, Prada and Loewe. Each ensemble is finished off with a vibrant piece of floral headgear by Azuma Makoto.During the accompanying interview, Rihanna opens up about boy advice, body confidence and growing older, and took to Instagram to share her excitement: “I’m so honored to be on the cover of your first September issue with British Vogue @edward_enninful. Thank you for considering me!”
Meanwhile ,Rihanna can arguably pull off any type of hairstyle whether long, short, black, red or curly. But the Work singer has finally unveiled the ‘do which fans have wanted to see most – her own real, natural hair – and, somehow, they are convinced it means her ninth album is on its way. Because, what else could it mean? In a boomerang Instagram story, the 30-year-old is seen wearing her hair in a set of ponytails with the tongue-in-cheek caption: ‘Troll.’
Naturally, fans were delighted to see Rihanna’s real hair without a wig or weave and came up with an interesting theory as to why she has gone au naturel. According to armchair detectives, RiRi is wearing nine ponytails to symbolise her forthcoming ninth studio album. Therefore, fans believe her next release, tentatively titled ‘R9’, is imminent.
One fan theorised on Twitter: ‘Rihanna tied her hair into 9 sections, and since her next album would be her 9th. This can only mean She is COMING [sic].’ Another said: ‘Do yall think rihanna is filming some form of movie like a visual album? or something similar to the anti diaries, the 4 hair changes in two weeks she’s probably filming something [sic].’ A third also made the connection between Rihanna’s hair and new music, adding: ‘Everytime Rihanna makes a major change to her hair is when she’s about to drop an album so if that wig goes on yours is coming off [sic].’
Let’s hope so! If you’re wondering how Rihanna manages to keep her natural hair in such great condition, you’re in luck as her hair stylist previously revealed her secret. Yusef Williams told Refinery29 that RiRi nurtures her tresses with ORS Olive Oil Moisturising Hair Oil, which costs less than £4.
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