Rihanna—and Child Rocki!—Are W’s Pop Factor Quilt Women

Greater than 20 years in the past, Rihanna kicked down the doorways of the tune trade together with her unmarried “Pon de Replay,” which turned into successful when she was once simply 17. Since then, she has grown to be one of the vital recognizable—and liked—musicians of all time. She has gained 9 Grammy Awards and is the youngest-ever solo performer with 14 No. 1 singles; however that’s only the start. Along with her multifaceted occupation, she has redefined what a strong-willed, forward-thinking artist can also be.

In 2017, the Proper Superb Robyn Rihanna Fenty—as she is understood in her local Barbados, the place she has the designation of Nationwide Hero—set a brand new trade usual with Fenty Good looks, a spread of cosmetics that catered to greater than 40 sun shades of pores and skin tone. The next yr, she introduced Savage x Fenty, a undies line with choices in sizes XS to 4XL. She has had a large number of collaborations with labels as numerous as Puma and Chopard, and her Fenty label, created in partnership with LVMH, merged haute couture with boulevard taste. The Savage x Fenty runway presentations, continuously held in stadium-size areas with public get entry to, ushered in a brand new elegance of various fashions and a classy that promoted inclusivity lengthy earlier than it was once a buzzword.

Rihanna additionally solidified a long-standing friendship that became a courting together with her now spouse, the rapper (and elegance icon) A$AP Rocky. In 2022, she gave beginning to their first kid, Rza, having publicly stated her need to be a mom for a number of years. Rebel, their 2nd son, arrived in 2023, adopted by means of a daughter, Rocki, in 2025. Even her maximum non-public moments resulted in a zeitgeist shift: Right through her pregnancies, Rihanna upended the expectancies round maternity put on, accenting her spherical stomach in edgy designs. She wore a skintight crimson Loewe catsuit all through the 2023 Tremendous Bowl, the place she published her 2nd being pregnant to greater than 121 million audience whilst functioning on a suspended platform. She’s impressed an entire technology of expectant ladies, who would possibly have differently felt confused to shroud their rising our bodies, to be unfastened.

There’s no specific secret to how Rihanna has achieved all this: She has smashed glass ceilings and blasted her method into the popular culture stratosphere by means of being herself. She’ll, say, ask Mariah Carey to autograph her chest after seeing her in live performance, or DM her favourite Actual Housewives. It will appear to be a no brainer now, however in her early days, when celebrities trusted synthetic, in moderation curated photographs, her openness felt progressive. To nowadays, Rihanna turns out at all times desperate to take possibilities and make a remark. The tale you notice right here, for example, a manner fable photographed by means of Tim Walker, marks Rocki’s first public look—wearing a Dior Haute Couture diaper and headpiece that the clothier Jonathan Anderson created only for her.

The ultrachic child outfit is a tiny instance of the inspiring partnerships that experience made Rihanna this kind of liked cultural determine. With that during thoughts, we requested a few of her pals, collaborators, and fellow legends: What does it in reality appear to be, up shut, to be Rihanna? The image that emerges is that of a novel artist, a rich person, and a mom who’s unflinchingly resilient and at all times having a look to guide somewhat than observe.

You and Rihanna have recognized every different for a very long time, and feature been in combination for a number of years. How has she modified?

A$AP Rocky, musician, actor, and spouse to Rihanna: She has modified so much as a result of she turned into a mom in that point span, and that surely adjustments you. However this lady has at all times been magic. Philosophically, the way in which she operates is on every other stage. She is essentially the most fascinating and authentic particular person on Earth. Her power is unequalled—one among a sort. I simply adore her.

What’s one thing you revel in doing in combination?

A$AP Rocky: We now have such a lot of of the similar pursuits. We had been hooked on gazing documentaries, just like the Bob Marley one. Observing motion pictures in combination is so a laugh. We will have to’ve watched El Cantante 15 instances.

Are you able to summarize Rihanna in a single sentence?

Pharrell Williams, musician and clothier: She’s a drive.

How has Rihanna modified the tune trade?

Mary J. Blige, musician: Rihanna utterly raised the bar and increased the sport. She is a manner icon. She was once shedding smashes back-to-back and bringing extra consciousness to dancehall combined with R&B.

When did you first meet Rihanna?

Mariah Carey, musician: I used to be presented to Rihanna when she was once about 17 years previous, by means of our mutual buddy Jay-Z. She was once simply getting began, and I had a sense she was once going to be a significant superstar. She’s an actual woman’s woman.

At your 2024 live performance, Rihanna requested you to signal her chest. What’s it like having her at your presentations?

Carey: She brings such nice power! The chest-signing second was once a li’l out of the abnormal, however I believed it was once hilarious!

You cowrote and had been featured at the music “Attention,” which was once on Rihanna’s remaining album, Anti, in 2016. What’s it like running together with her?

SZA, musician: She is aware of precisely what she desires. Her style stage is tremendous distinctive. The second one she heard “Attention,” she didn’t hesitate. She stated, “This one!” It was once the good factor I had made on the time. I couldn’t consider she idea it was once cool too. Very fever dream–coded!

What’s a standout reminiscence you might have of her?

SZA: We had been about to accomplish on the Brit Awards in 2016. I had no enjoy and unquestionably didn’t know the place the hell I used to be or what this supposed. It was once recommended that I principally put on a curtain and disappear, and after I instructed her, she right away stated, “Hell, no! We want you to seem scorching!” She made positive I were given to select no matter I sought after and appeared lovable. That’s how I finished up in booty shorts and fishnets for my first tv efficiency.

Rihanna was once your costar within the 2013 movie This Is the Finish. What’s your favourite reminiscence of her?

Jonah Hill, actor: When we shot This Is the Finish, I bumped into her at a bar, and it was once my birthday. She had a joint and was once beneficiant sufficient to proportion with my pals, and one among my pals were given so stoned that she pooped her pants. Rihanna has that “make your pals shit their pants” weed.

When did you first meet Rihanna?

Paloma Elsesser, style: On the first Fenty Good looks shoot in 2017. I used to be anxious however so excited as a result of I’m a real Rihanna stan. She expressed her gratitude for my being there and in my view got here as much as each woman, providing honest compliments. It was once so insanely cool coming from the baddest complain alive! Rihanna is robust and springs on her time. As soon as she’s there, she is a commanding drive—at all times turning in and bringing a potent and provide power.

What are 3 classes you’ve realized from Rihanna that experience helped your occupation?

Elsesser: By no means deviate out of your imaginative and prescient, carry your pals with you, and not give a fuck.

What’s a standout reminiscence you might have of Rihanna?

Elsesser: Her smell. <3

How did you meet Rihanna? What was once your first affect of her?

Sarah Paulson, actor: It was once at the set of Ocean’s 8 [in which Rihanna played Nine Ball, a computer hacker], and I bear in mind considering she was once the only maximum electrifying creature I’d ever laid eyes on. She gave the impression reserved, and that stunned me. She hadn’t completed a ton of performing at this level, so I used to be struck by means of how a lot listening and gazing she was once doing. She was once taking all of it in, like a sensible particular person.

What’s a standout reminiscence you might have of Rihanna?

Paulson: My spouse, Holland Taylor, visited me on set once we had been capturing the heist scene on the Met. Rihanna was once on this gorgeous crimson get dressed, and when Holland noticed her she let loose a yelp, like, “Holy God.” Rihanna stated to her, “You already know what? You’re the MVP.” Holland went, “Why?” And she or he stated, “Since you’ve were given to place up together with her,” and he or she pointed to me. Holland to nowadays will say to me, “Have in mind—even Rihanna knew what I’ve to take care of along with your ass.” And I will be able to’t argue with it. It was once essentially the most right kind evaluation. There was once part of Rihanna that I knew loved how loopy I used to be—we laughed so much. I used to be at all times freestyling, seeking to get a hold of songs that I believed might be her subsequent No. 1. She would have a look at me like, “You’ll be able to’t sing. Your lyrics aren’t unhealthy, however what you’re doing vocally is provoking.”

What was once it like running with Rihanna to your 2019 movie, Guava Island?

Donald Glover, musician and actor: She got here in very at ease and malleable. She’d learn and memorized the whole thing already, however requested a large number of questions about what her personality was once in search of. It was once cool to peer her dive into it without a actual worry of vulnerability. She simply got here in in a position to play, which was once in reality refreshing.

What’s a standout reminiscence you might have of her?

Glover: When she got here to the home in Cuba earlier than filming to only chat and meet my son. She bent right down to his stage and stated, “How are you, little guy?” And my son stated not anything however then put his complete fist in his mouth. He’d by no means completed that earlier than, nor has he after. I laughed for the remainder of the day. I believe her air of secrecy was once simply an excessive amount of for him.

What was once it like assembly Rihanna in 2024 after years of mentioning her as an inspiration?

Ayra Starr, musician: It was once one of the vital wonderful emotions, like two sisters, best possible pals reuniting after being aside for a very long time. That’s my matriarch! Don’t play.

What’s the most important reminiscence you might have of Rihanna?

Starr: Sitting together with her whilst we watched my tune movies. The truth that she was once stating her favourite portions felt so unreal. It truthfully felt like a dream gazing any person I’ve appeared as much as, listened to, and admired my complete existence in reality see me and respect my tune. On the time, I used to be suffering with my self-image and self assurance, in order that second supposed the whole thing. It felt like God had despatched her to me.

You’ve made hats for Rihanna for greater than a decade. What’s it like running together with her?

Stephen Jones, milliner: The primary one I made for her was once in 2009: somewhat best hat she wore to a Dior Haute Couture display. She’s in reality into hats, she loves dressing up, and he or she doesn’t see it as a problem. She’s an energetic player within the ingenious procedure.

What’s a standout reminiscence you might have of Rihanna?

Jones: When I used to be making her a hat [that resembled a pope’s mitre] for the 2018 Met Gala. We went into her toilet with a couple of other hats to check out on. I stated, “How do you need to seem?” She answered, “Humorous sufficient, no person has requested me that. I need to glance beautiful.” I stated, “The hat is reasonably heavy with all of the embroidery,” and he or she stated, “Have you ever observed the footwear? The hat isn’t the issue.”

What was once it like running together with her in this W shoot?

Jones: She loves enjoying. After the latest Dior Haute Couture display, she wore one of the vital headpieces out for a celebration. She is as dedicated to model as model is dedicated to her.

What’s a standout reminiscence you might have of Rihanna?

Jonathan Anderson, ingenious director of Dior: Right through the Tremendous Bowl, in a rest room. I’ve by no means met any person so emotionally open, and who makes you are feeling comfortable and is open to taking part on any stage. I believe the whole thing that she does comes from a state of kindness—it’s very uncommon in any person.

How is operating together with her other from running with different superstar Dior ambassadors?

Anderson: She is aware of precisely who she is and what works on her. She is aware of methods to interpret your ingenious imaginative and prescient and make it her personal.

For this W shoot, there have been some particular couture pieces, like child Rocki’s diaper and headpiece. How did the ones come about?

Anderson: The high fashion diaper is unquestionably a primary for Dior. When Rihanna asks for one thing, she is already forward of what’s going down. She is considering outdoor the field. When she has an concept, I’m at all times trusting within the procedure. I believe her implicitly on the rest she feels this is proper to do.

Hair by means of Mustafa Yanaz at Artwork + Trade; make-up by means of Daniel Sällström at MA+ Workforce; beauty treatment by means of Jenny Longworth at Streeters. That includes Fenty Good looks, Fenty Hair, and Fenty Pores and skin. Set design by means of Miguel Bento. Motion path by means of Pat Boguslawski.

Produced by means of 138 Productions; Government Manufacturer: Simon Malivindi; Manufacturer: Ashleigh Hayward; Lighting fixtures Director: Paul Burns; Photograph Assistants: Antonio Perricone, Daniel Serrato; Virtual Technician: Tony Ivanov; Gaffer: Quentin Play; Sparks: Jérôme Fabre, Teddy Moireau; Postproduction: Retouch and Print; PRINTING: GRAEME BULCRAIG AT RETOUCH AND PRINT; Manufacturing Coordinator: Géraldine Morat; Location Supervisor: Geoffroy Hassoun; Location Supervisor Assistant: Michael Chandlee; Manufacturing Assistants: Dejan Trajkov, Merlin Cigare, Maïa Constantin, Adrian Dohna, Plant life Blin, Pierre Ménard, Antoine Chatenet; first Model Assistant: Amir Dayi; Model Assistants: Gabriel Lahanque, Alexis Landolfi; Tailor: Chantal Tin; Hair Assistants: Sofien Semmache, Sarah Itoua; Make-up Assistant: Martina Derosa; Particular Thank you: DJ Andy and Liwan.