Barbadian singer Rihanna is having a moment in the spotlight. Hot on the heels of her first fashion line comes the news that the R&B star will be a "creative partner" with the cosmetics brand for a series of 2013 product releases.
The RiRi Hearts M.A.C collection is a "no-brainer" according to Rihanna, who told WWD that she is a long-standing fan of the brand:
"I've been using M.A.C on tour for such a long time it was a natural fit for me. I have always loved makeup, and I always said that if I do it, I want to do it with a credible brand."
The first release will be a lipstick inspired by Rihanna's favourite shade, M.A.C's Ruby Woo. Remixed into a new tone, RiRi Woo will be unveiled at a pop-up M.A.C store at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on May 4, when Rihanna hits New York City on her Diamonds tour.
This is the first time that M.A.C has committed to a multi-product partnership with a celebrity or company: "We always say that M.A.C likes to go on a date but doesn't really want to go into a relationship," explained John Demsey, of M.A.C owner Estée Lauder Cosmetics. In fact, "this relationship with Rihanna is a long-term one that involves the development of four distinct colour initiatives," he added.
After appearing at the Rihanna concerts, RiRi Woo will also be sold online, and it will be followed by an online-only Summer collection (featuring two extra lipsticks, a Lustre Drops shade and a powder blusher). Fall and holiday collections will hit physical M.A.C locations later in the year, further expanding the collection with more shades of lipstick, false eyelashes, and nail polish.
The campaign for the Fall and holiday collections was shot by famed fashion duo Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot. The singer's tweet back in January about her "new #topsecret ad campaign!!!" led many to suspect she was working with Chanel, but the truth is now clear -- it was M.A.C all along.
This is far from Rihanna's first brand collaboration. "RiRi" has previously released three perfumes (Nude, Reb'l Fleur and Rebelle) and was one of the stars of the latest London Fashion Week, with her '90s-style collection designed with River Island set to hit stores on March 5. The singer also worked on a capsule collection with Armani Jeans back in 2011.
M.A.C has previously collaborated with singer Nicky Minaj on two lipsticks as well as with Lady Gaga and fashion brand Rodarte, among others. –AFP RELAXNEWS