Rihanna has broken new ground in the upper echelons of the fashion industry. On Friday (May 10), the New York Times confirmed that the pop superstar will bring her Fenty fashion brand to LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the largest global luxury group. In doing so, she becomes the first woman to launch an original line at LVMH and the first woman of color at the top of LVMH. Fenty also becomes the first new house the institution has established since Christian Lacroix in 1987.

The news that the two icons were entering a partnership was first leaked back in January by sources who said that they were having "secret discussions" to open a luxury house. Early reports speculated the brand would include "ready-to-wear, leather goods and accessories," and the reality is not far off: According to the Times, the relaunched Fenty features those items and is "centered on Rihanna, developed by her, and takes shape with her vision.

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Designing a line like this with LVMH is an incredibly special moment for us,” Rihanna said in the statement. “Mr. [Bernard] Arnault has given me a unique opportunity to develop a fashion house in the luxury sector, with no artistic limits. I couldn’t imagine a better partner both creatively and business-wise, and I’m ready for the world to see what we have built together.”

Since 2017, the 31-year-old artist and entrepreneur has maintained a partnership with LVMH-owned beauty developer Kendo Brands, which launched and distributes Fenty Beauty.