Rihanna: Margaret Zhang’s Swan Song

Former Vogue China [IG] EIC Margaret Zhang delivered Rihanna on her final April 2024 cover story for the magazine. The star had covered Harper’s Bazaar China but never Vogue.

Rihanna takes two print covers and three digital ones in her story ‘Rihanna: Beauty In Individuality’, styled by Alvin Yu in images by Hailun Ma [IG]. / Hair by Naphia White and Yusef Williams; makeup by Priscilla Ono; set design by Nicholas des Jardins; manicure by Kim Truong

Rihanna also served as a co-curator with the Vogue China editorial team on exploring beauty through individuality.

The Fenty founder jumped on the “blondes have more fun” bandwagon in LA Friday, hosting an immersive experience around her new Fenty Foundation line.

The mega watt entertainer and businesswoman has rocked various shades of blonde since last fall. But she pulled out all the stops yesterday, channeling the busty blonde cartoon persona ‘Jessica Rabbit’.

Cultural and Financial Tensions in China’s Luxury Sector

Everyone from the Chinese government itself to the world’s top luxury brands are invested in shoring up and giving major credibility to China’s fashion and beauty industry. After years of stellar growth, there’s general worry across markets around a slowdown in China.

Media is not inclined to report on or explore exactly where western luxury brands stand in China. Profits aren’t tied exclusively to economics, which is only one component in the analysis of luxury spending by China’s monied clients.

The Chinese government is deeply involved in monitoring and controlling the tensions between China’s desire to be part of the global luxury market, while also protecting China’s identity and values.

Former Vogue China EIC Zhang found herself caught in this very web of cultural controversy, coupled with her alleged inability to run the magazine as a financially-successful enterprise.

Fenty Beauty in China

Returning to Rihanna and Fenty Beauty, launched in 2017 to great fanfare with 40 foundation shades, the beauty brand entered the Chinese beauty market on April 1 and is now sold at Sephora stores in China.

One of Rihanna’s core investment partners in Fenty Beauty and also Savage x Fenty lingerie is L Catterton

In 2016, LVMH and Groupe Arnault — the family holding company of LVMH-owner Bernard Arnault — joined forces with the private-equity firm Catterton, founded in 1989 to create "a leading global consumer-focused investment firm."

Sephora is owned by LVMH, giving us an excellent example of the strategic synergy LVMH has created in supporting and funding talents. while also leveraging the many levers of brand power with the LVMH stable of the world’s top luxury brands.