Rihanna Lands Historic Ambassador Role
In 2015, pop icon Rihanna was named as Dior’s newest brand ambassador, making history as the first Black woman to front campaigns for the iconic French fashion house.
“It feels fantastic,” Rihanna told MTV at the time. “It is such a big deal for me, for my culture, for a lot of young girls of any colour. I think, to be acknowledged by Dior is just… it means a lot as a woman to feel beautiful, elegant, and timeless.”
The appointment continued Dior’s shift under creative director Raf Simons to enlist younger celebrity ambassadors like Jennifer Lawrence, Marion Cotillard, and Natalie Portman.
Filming a Cinematic Campaign at the Palace of Versailles
Rihanna starred in Dior’s fourth iteration of its lavish Secret Garden campaign, with the advertisements filmed at the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles.
Renowned fashion photographer Steven Klein shot the cinematic print and video campaign. Film and images were scheduled for release in Spring 2015 to promote the house’s extensive fragrance, makeup, and ready-to-wear collections.
Cementing Her Fashion Icon Status
By 2015, Rihanna had already graced countless magazine covers and modeled for brands like Balmain and Armani. That same year, the Council of Fashion Designers of America named her Fashion Icon in recognition of her bold, trendsetting style.
The Dior ambassadorship further cemented her status as a fashion force while breaking barriers for women of color.
“I know this means so much to young girls of any color,” Rihanna told MTV. “To be acknowledged by Dior feels like a triumph for all of us.”
