“It’s A Big Deal”: Rihanna On Being The First Black Face Of Dior

"It's A Big Deal": Rihanna On Being The First Black Face Of Dior

Rihanna

by Contributor |
Published on

Rihanna is the gorgeous new face of Dior, which is a pretty big deal considering the French brand has never featured a black star in one of their campaigns. So it comes as no surprise to hear the singer is hugely flattered.

"It feels fantastic. It's such a big deal for me, for my culture, for a lot of young girls of any colour," Ri-Ri told MTV News. The star, who is from Barbados, is set to star in Dior's fourth Secret Garden video, joining actresses Jennifer Lawrence, Marion Cotillard and Natalie Portman who have long been part of the Dior family.

Of course, we should've seen this coming considering Rihanna has been a front-row regular at Dior's fashion week shows and is regularly photographed in the brand. She proudly added: "I think to be acknowledged by Dior means a lot as a woman to feel beautiful, and elegant, and timeless."

Rihanna does Dior [Getty]
Rihanna does Dior [Getty]

If the sneak preview is anything to go by, this combo is going to be a winner. Rihanna's already been spotted shooting a video for the brand in the beautiful gardens of the Palace of Versailles, where the last three videos were shot.

The news that Rihanna is to front the campaign as the first black woman comes after Creative Director Raf Simons was criticised for not casting black models in his catwalk shows. He responded by casting six black models in his sixth collection catwalk in 2013. He has since tried to evolve the brand by getting younger, fresher and now more diverse models on board.

Rihanna's campaign is scheduled to run this spring. Bring it!

Gallery

Rihanna Style - Best Dresses & Outfits

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Rihanna wearing Balmain in Los Angeles - 19 June 2014

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Rihanna in New York, August 2014

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Rihanna in helmut Lang, New York - 18 August 2014

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Rihanna in Alexander Haider Ackermann and Balenciaga, New York - 20 August 2014

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Rihanna at a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers on May 15, 2014

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Melissa Forde and Rihanna attend an NBA playoff game between Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers on May 9, 2014

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Rihanna attends the Christian Dior Cruise 2015 Show on May 7, 2014 in New York City

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Rihanna attends the 2014 'Met Ball' on May 5th

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Rihanna is seen at the after-party for The Costume Institute Benefit Gala on May 5, 2014 in New York

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Rihanna in the audience at the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Awards on May 1, 2014 in LA

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Rihanna attends Roc Nation Sports 1 Year Anniversary Luncheon at TAO Downtown on April 28, 2014 in New York

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Rihanna at the Toronto Raptors vs Brooklyn Nets playoff game on April 25, 2014 in New York

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Rihanna at the 2014 MTV Movie Awards LA Live on April 13, 2014

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Rihanna at Oklahoma City Thunder vs the Los Angeles Clippers on April 9, 2014 in LA

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Rihanna attends the Miu Miu show on March 5, 2014 in Paris, France wearing a Prada coat

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Rihanna attends the Chanel show on March 4, 2014 in Paris, France dressed in Chanel

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Rihanna attends the Stella McCartney show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2014-2015 on March 3, 2014 in Paris, France

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Rihanna attends the Roc Nation pre-Grammy brunch on January 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California

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Rihanna poses in the press room at the 2013 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 24, 2013 in Los Angeles, California

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Rihanna in Alexander Wang out and about in London - 11 September 2013

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Rihanna at Opening Ceremony at New York Fashion Week - September 2013

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Rihanna at Alexander Wang after party at New York Fashion Week - September 2013

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Rihanna in Balmain at 2013 MTV Video Music Awards after party - 25 August 2013

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Rihanna at 'Lyon' restaurant, West Village, New York - 12 August 2013

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Rihanna out and about in London - 20 July 2013

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Rihanna in London - 18 July 2013

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Rihanna in Rag & Bone out and about in Manchester - 16 July 2013

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Rihanna in visor by Fleet Ilya out and about in London - 15 July 2013

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Rihanna in Gareth Pugh out and about in London - 14 July 2013

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Rihanna in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci menswear and Versace shoes in Monaco - 13 July 2013

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Rihanna in KTZ in Denmark - 6 July 2013

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Rihanna in Tom Ford AW13 boots arriving in Poland - 6 July 2013

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Rihanna at Chanel show, Haute Couture Fall Winter 2013, Paris Fashion Week - 2 July 2013

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Rihanna out and about, London, Britain - 20 June 2013

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Oiut and about in New York - 17 July 2015 [Rex]

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Wearing Marni dress and Chanel loafers out and about in New York - 13 July 2015 [Rex]

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At the Dior Autumn/ Winter photocall in Tokyo - 16 June 2015 [Rex]

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Out and about in New York - 1 June 2015 [Rex]

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At the Met Gala wearing Guo Pei - 4 May 2015 [Rex]

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At the Jimmy Kimmel Live show wearing Moschino - 1 April 2015 [Rex]

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At the Home premiere wearing Dior - 22 March 2015 [Rex]

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At the Good Morning America show wearing Pascal Millet - 13 March 2015 [Rex]

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At the Fendi fashion store opening in New York - 13 February 2015 [Rex]

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At the Grammy Awards wearing Giambattista Valli - 8 February 2015 [Rex]

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Out and about in New York - 23 December 2014 [Rex]

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At the Diamond Ball wearing Zac Posen - 11 December 2014 [Rex]

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At the British Fashion Awards wearing Stella McCartney - 1 December 2014 [Rex]

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At the It's Not Over premiere wearing Altuzarra - 18 November 2014 [Rex]

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At the amfAR Inspiration Gala wearing Tom Ford - 29 October 2014 [Rex]

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At the Edun show at New York Fashion Week - 7 September 2014 [Rex]

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Out and about in New York wearing Alexander Wang for H&M - 7 September 2014 [Rex]

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Out and about in New York wearing Adam Selman - 5 September 2014 [Rex]

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