Earlier this month, Rihanna made history as the first black woman at the helm of a major luxury fashion house in Paris.

Now, as she prepares to launch her Fenty fashion brand with LVMH, the 31-year-old mogul gives T magazine a first look at her collection, which will make its debut in Paris on May 24 and be available online on May 29.

In the photos, shot by Kristin-Lee Moolman, she models looks from Fenty’s “strong and edgy” inaugural collection, including a Japanese denim corset dress, calfskin heels, suit jacket with fanny pack, and sunglasses.

On the music side, she also confirms long-rumored speculation that she’s working on a reggae album, which does not have a title or release date. However, she denied rumors of a collaboration with Lady Gaga and has no plans for more collaborations with Drake, at least anytime soon.

Read highlights from the interview below.

On becoming the first black woman to create an original LVMH brand: “I didn’t even know that until months into our relationship, when Jahleel [Weaver] brought it to my attention. And 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.”

On her ambition: “I had a dream of making music; that’s it. I didn’t even think about the fame part, and then that happened, and it’s like, ‘Do I really like this? How much do I really love music that I’m dealing with this?’ Then the one-hit-wonder comment came straight out of the gate and that put a fire under my ass, and I just never stopped working.”

On her fashion inspiration: “I use myself as the muse. It’s sweatpants with pearls, or a masculine denim jacket with a corset. I feel like we live in a world where people are embracing every bit of who they are. Look at Jaden Smith, Childish Gambino. They dare you to tell them not to.”

On a rumored Lady Gaga collaboration: “Maybe because she followed me on Instagram. It’s not in the books right now, but I’m not against it.”

On collaborating with Drake: “Not anytime soon, I don’t see it happening. Not on this album, that’s for sure.”

On picking an album title: “So far it’s just been R9, thanks to the Navy. I’m about to call it that probably, ’cause they have haunted me with this ‘R9, R9, when is R9 coming out?’ How will I accept another name after that’s been burned into my skull?”

On her mother’s reaction to the LVMH deal: “When I told her about LVMH, she just couldn’t believe it. She said, ‘Oh God, glory, glory to God.’ She’s so proud, so happy, and she’s still pinching herself. She carries my makeup in her store in Barbados. It’s full circle, because she was the one who brought me into the department store after school — all that makeup, it was fun.”

Source: Rap-Up.com

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