Rihanna puts her clothes on: Star launches River Island collaboration, timed for London Fashion Week

 

Given superstar Rihanna's habit of not wearing much in the way of clothing, she might not seem the most obvious fashion designer.

But the singer unveiled her collaboration with high street chain River Island last night, in a show timed to coincide with London Fashion Week.

Zesty silk dresses tied at the waist, grey marl jersey, crop tops, and denim-on-denim made up a wardrobe that was urban and casual in its look, and which mixed high and low references in an homage to its creator's own style. Tie-dye silk and hoods made utilitarian pieces that bit more street, while a Lurex-jersey-mix gown had a disco feel. If you want to dress like Rihanna, this is what to buy – but be warned, steel abs don't come as standard.

There are those who say celebrity fashion projects – such as Topshop and Kate Moss, or Madonna for H&M – are on the wane, and that shoppers are more interested in accessible collaborations with high-end labels, but Rihanna's cool credentials will no doubt appeal to River Island's young, trend-aware customers.

Elsewhere yesterday, the second day of London Fashion Week was nothing if not eclectic.

Established names vied with fledgling talent in a crammed schedule. One of the UK's most well-known designers, Julien Macdonald's ready-to-wear collection was pitched at a glitzy client base, entitled "Viva Las Vegas" and made up of show-stopping, skin-tight and sheer minidresses encrusted with sequins, bugle beads and fine chains, as well as red-carpet-worthy floor-length gowns featuring gold and silver appliqué lace, jacquard and chevron sequins inlaid on bare tulle.

At the more quotidian end of the scale, an autumn trend for cosy knitwear emerged, given an irreverent twist by the three designers behind the rising Sister by Sibling label. Their heroine for autumn 2013 is Paula Yates, whose spirit came through in ironic chintz-smattered cardigans in blue and pink, picked out with sequins and splattered with black polka dots. The punkish purlers have hit their stride between outrageous and outright commercial. In particular, a ribbed jumper with a graffitied portrait of Marie Antoinette should be a hit.

There were more retro woollens at Orla Kiely, and from Christopher Raeburn duffel coats, parkas and jackets. Fashion Week continues today, with Whistles, Topshop, Mulberry and Vivienne Westwood.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Life & Style blogs

Where do most millionaires live in the UK?

Plus lateral thinking and living on London's waterways

Wandsworth tops aspiring young professionals hotspot list

Other popular areas include Didsbury, Clifton in Bristol, central Cambridge and West Bridgford

Christian GPs and the morning after pill: Much needed clarification

Doctors are allowed to have personal beliefs, just as long as these beliefs do not interfere with th...

       

ES Rentals

    Day In a Page

    Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

    Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

    A meeting of global power brokers in a Hertfordshire hotel is exciting conspiracy theorists, but what are they really about?
    'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system': Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console

    'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system'

    Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console
    Plenty of Fish dating site founder pulls 'Intimate Encounters' option to ward off sleazy men

    Plenty of sleaze

    Dating website pulls intimate 'hook-up' section to curb harassment
    Inferno author Dan Brown 'honoured' to be invited to join the Freemasons

    The Freemasons’ Code

    Dan Brown reveals the message that told him door to the lodge is open
    Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

    Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

    Nick Buckles survived the Olympics débâcle and a £5bn bid fiasco but a profit warning finally triggered his downfall
    How to say ‘I’m a sellout’: Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar

    How to say ‘I’m a sellout’

    Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar
    Why clubs are keen to take a stand

    Why clubs are keen to take a stand

    There's a real desire around the grounds for safe standing. But will the authorities listen?
    In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

    In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

    Disillusion with a siege mentality and negative playing style made change inevitable
    James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

    James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

    British driver was fascinating man whose epic duel with Niki Lauda in 1976 was typical of an era of glamour and glory – but also the ever-present threat of death
    Stuart Hogg: Ready to climb his own Everest

    Stuart Hogg: Ready to climb his own Everest

    Lions' cub, 20, joins long line of players from Scottish borders club Hawick given opportunity to make his mark at highest level
    Carl Froch handed rare chance of revenge with dream rematch

    Steve Bunce on Boxing

    Carl Froch handed rare chance of revenge with dream rematch against Mikel Kessler
    'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

    Masculinity in crisis?

    'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
    Have US shock jocks gone too far?

    Have US shock jocks gone too far?

    An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
    The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

    The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

    Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
    Heavenly Bodies

    Heavenly Bodies

    Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell