Introducing Fenty: Rihanna makes history with new fashion label

The singer is the first woman of colour to lead a brand at luxury conglomerate LVMH

FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2018 file photo, singer Rihanna attends the 4th annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York. Rihanna is partnering with LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton to launch a new fashion label. The pop star, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty, announced Friday, May 10, 2019, that a new line called Fenty will debut this spring and will be based in Paris.   (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
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She was behind 2016 smash hit Work, and Rihanna has certainly been doing just that.

The singer has been building a multi-brand empire in recent years, launching a makeup line, Fenty Beauty, and a lingerie brand, Savage X Fenty.

And now, the Umbrella star is adding another string to her already-bursting bow.

Rihanna confirmed on Friday that she is launching an upmarket fashion label, which will be named Fenty, taken from her full name, Robyn Rihanna Fenty.

The 31-year-old has joined forces with luxury fashion conglomerate Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, known as LVMH, on the brand, making her the first woman of colour to helm a fashion house at the company.

LVMH already owns a selection of the world's most renowned labels, such as Givenchy, Christian Dior and Celine. In another landmark, the deal makes Rihanna the first female to create an original brand for the group.

Fenty, which is set to launch in the next few weeks with a Spring 2019 collection, will feature ready-to-wear, accessories and shoes. It is the first new label under the LVMH brand – which also includes Rihanna's beauty line in its portfolio – since 1987, and will be based in Paris.

“Everybody knows Rihanna as a wonderful singer, but through our partnership at Fenty Beauty, I discovered a true entrepreneur, a real CEO and a terrific leader,” said Bernard Arnault, chairman and chief executive of LVMH, in a statement.

“To support Rihanna to start up the Fenty Maison, we have built a talented and multicultural team supported by the group resources."

Rihanna also heralded the news on her social media channels, announcing the partnership to her 70 million Instagram followers.

"Thank you Mr Arnault for believing in this little girl from the left side of an island, and for giving me the opportunity to grow with you," wrote the Barbados-born singer and actress. "This is proof that nothing is impossible."

Rihanna also added in a statement that she had been given "no artistic limits" in the design of her line.

Alongside Savage and Fenty Beauty, the latter of which made more than €500 million (Dh2.06bn) in sales in 2018, the singer has previously collaborated on fashion collections with sports giant Puma and shoemaker Manolo Blahnik.