‘It Made Me Feel Proud’: Rihanna Talks Historic Move as the First Black Woman To Run Her Own Major Fashion House and Black Representation

Earlier this month, it was revealed that Rihanna made history when she became the first black woman to run a fashion house under the French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH.

Rihanna described the move on Instagram as a “Big day for the culture,” and she had more to say about it during a new interview with The New York Times.

The pop star, makeup queen and overall fashionista said she didn’t realize the history she made when the deal was completed. Not until Fenty’s style director Jahleel Weaver told her.

“I’m like, “Are you sure about that? Did you do your research? ’Cause I don’t wanna state a claim that’s [expletive]. Because I still couldn’t believe it. It made me feel proud,” she told playwright Jeremy O. Harris, who conducted the interview.

Rihanna also said she wants to continue to open doors for other black female designers by bringing young new talent to her company.

It’s something she’s already done with a couple of designers in the past, and two more new ones are on the way. Plus, Rihanna said she looks at “grad collections” to see who could possibly join her fashion squad.

In another part of the discussion, the 31-year-old talked about being a black woman in a fashion industry that’s disproportionately white and was asked if she ever felt out of place.

“You’re going to be black wherever you go, and I don’t know if it’s unfortunate or fortunate, because I love being black,” she stated.

“So, sorry for those who don’t like it … There are also other factors: I’m young. I’m new to the family. I’m a woman,” she added. “Those factors do come into play, but I will not apologize for them, and I will not back down from being a woman, from being black, from having an opinion.”

“I’m running a company and that’s exactly what I came here to do,” Rihanna continued. “I don’t know if it makes people uncomfortable or not, but that’s not even my business. I do know that the reason I’m here is not because I’m black. It’s because of what I have to offer. That’s what they’re invested in. And the fact that I’m black is just that: a fact.”