Rihanna’s First Campaign For Dior J’Adore Is Here – And It’s Even Better Than We Expected

There is little that Rihanna can't do. The antithesis of the old 'Jack of all trades' saying, she has proved you can in fact be the master of all, whether you are revolutionising the make-up scene, launching a haircare line for all, or making the baby bump the most fashionable accessory to date. It makes sense then, that someone as legendary as her has just been announced the face of another legend, Dior's J'adore fragrance.

As part of her new role, Rihanna will be at the centre of a new campaign which marks a fresh chapter in the legacy of the fragrance. So far, we have had brief teasers of what was to come, namely a single print campaign image released on 16 August, which pictured a glistening Rihanna in all her new-found House of Dior glory. But the wait is now finally over as the star's latest collaboration is unveiled on TV screens.

Caught through the lens of her long-time friend Steven Klein, the star is captured among the golden hues of the Palace of Versailles – a familiar setting for J'adore. But that's not all that has returned. The iconic pearl necklace torn off by Charlize Theron when she walked through the Hall of Mirrors years ago has been rehashed and made anew by designer Maria Grazia Chiuri for a new gilded queen.

With caramel honeyed hair, warm blonde bleached brows, sultry soft make-up, and an undeniable lit-from-within glow, Rihanna appears as the epitome of 'absolute Diorness,' according to the brand's statement, which also notes, 'J’adore returns to the origins of a dream in gold offered to women for 25 years. A dream perfume that Rihanna has always loved, as though she were destined for it.'

In fact, Rihanna's adoration of J'Adore can be traced back years. 'I have always loved this perfume. My mother worked in a perfume shop and she used to bring home the testers when they were almost empty. There was always a bottle of J'adore in the house,' she says.

The iconic scent that has been around for over two decades is as well known as the advertisements that seek to sell it. Even the most unseasoned beauty follower will be well familiar with its gold visuals – from Carmen Kass dipping into an irresistible pool of gold, to Charlize Theron, dripping in gold. Its presence has been felt outside of the ads, too. The fragrance's name has been embossed on logo T-shirts for the runway (and approved by Carrie Bradshaw in Sex And The City) and it was the focus of the Dior J'adore! exhibition in Paris last year, all of which points out the obvious: Dior's J'adore is undeniably one of the most-renowned, best-selling perfumes to exist.

There's good reason for that. The juice itself is quite unlike anything else and has thus carved out its own space in the busy fragrance market. And Rihanna agrees, 'J'adore is a unique fragrance. It is fresh and sexy at the same time. It is neither too spicy, nor too delicate nor too clean. J'adore has an aura. It expresses a genuine “essence.”

That "essence" the singer, actress, entrepreneur and mother-of-two speaks of is intertwined with the loaded nature of scent. More than just an olfactive experience, Rihanna explains, 'Personally, I feel that perfume has so much power! It can give you self-confidence, awaken memories, and transport you to a different place. J'adore makes women feel that they can become who they really want to be, deep down inside. It’s magical!'

Those who follow the brand and star in tandem will know this isn't Rihanna's first brush with the fragrance house. In 2015, she became Dior’s first Black ambassador as the face of Dior's Secret Garden campaign for J'Adore Dior. Similarly, shot in Versailles, France, by Klein, it was a visual delight within its own right and the trifecta's newest creation certainly follows suit.

The new campaign by Stephen Klein was revealed on 1st September 2024.

Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia UK's Beauty Writer, working across all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral).

Image credits: Pierre Mouton for Christian Dior Parfums