In this week's issue of Grazia we reveal how Rihanna's music career has taken a backsteat. She is on the verge of launching an accessories line, which is part of her plans to grow her own fashion empire.
In recent months the singer has taken a step back - her past three singles (following a year-long break from releasing music) failed to make much of an impact. Her recent single, American Oxygen, only reached number 71 in the UK singles chart.
In this week's issue, we exclusively reveal that Rihanna, 27, has allowed her music to take a bit of a back seat because she is in the process of launching herself as a serious fashion designer - starting with an accessories line. An application was filed last month at the US Patent and Trademarks Office by Rihanna's company, Roraj Trade, LLC, for a new brand, $CHOOL KIlls.' It was registered and trademarked in New York on 11 May under the category of 'leather products' and 'clothing products.'
A close source told Grazia: "$CHOOL KIlls will be an accessories range covering everything from tote bags to purses, and later on, fashion. She still loves the music, and it's what launched her, but this is her focus right now."
"Rihanna has already had a successful clothing line with River Island and is not limiting herself to just music and touring for the rest of her life. She will continue to release singles and albums, but she's had plans in place to expland in other areas like fashion, for a good few years now."
In 2013 it was hinted the star wanted to pursue a career in fashion. When she sued Topshop for £3 million (and won) for using her image on one of their T-shirts, legal papers revealed that one witness, Rihanna's creative director Ciarra Pardo, claimed that, 'Rihanna was working hard to identify herself as a serious fashion designer and items such as the T-shirt in issue do not support that goal.'
Pick up this week's issue of Grazia to read more on Rihanna's plans to grow her own fashion empire...
Rihanna Style - Best Dresses & Outfits
Rihanna wearing Balmain in Los Angeles - 19 June 2014
Rihanna in New York, August 2014
Rihanna in helmut Lang, New York - 18 August 2014
Rihanna in Alexander Haider Ackermann and Balenciaga, New York - 20 August 2014
Rihanna at a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers on May 15, 2014
Melissa Forde and Rihanna attend an NBA playoff game between Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers on May 9, 2014
Rihanna attends the Christian Dior Cruise 2015 Show on May 7, 2014 in New York City
Rihanna attends the 2014 'Met Ball' on May 5th
Rihanna is seen at the after-party for The Costume Institute Benefit Gala on May 5, 2014 in New York
Rihanna in the audience at the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Awards on May 1, 2014 in LA
Rihanna attends Roc Nation Sports 1 Year Anniversary Luncheon at TAO Downtown on April 28, 2014 in New York
Rihanna at the Toronto Raptors vs Brooklyn Nets playoff game on April 25, 2014 in New York
Rihanna at the 2014 MTV Movie Awards LA Live on April 13, 2014
Rihanna at Oklahoma City Thunder vs the Los Angeles Clippers on April 9, 2014 in LA
Rihanna attends the Miu Miu show on March 5, 2014 in Paris, France wearing a Prada coat
Rihanna attends the Chanel show on March 4, 2014 in Paris, France dressed in Chanel
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
Rihanna attends the Roc Nation pre-Grammy brunch on January 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California
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
Rihanna in Alexander Wang out and about in London - 11 September 2013
Rihanna at Opening Ceremony at New York Fashion Week - September 2013
Rihanna at Alexander Wang after party at New York Fashion Week - September 2013
Rihanna in Balmain at 2013 MTV Video Music Awards after party - 25 August 2013
Rihanna at 'Lyon' restaurant, West Village, New York - 12 August 2013
Rihanna out and about in London - 20 July 2013
Rihanna in London - 18 July 2013
Rihanna in Rag & Bone out and about in Manchester - 16 July 2013
Rihanna in visor by Fleet Ilya out and about in London - 15 July 2013
Rihanna in Gareth Pugh out and about in London - 14 July 2013
Rihanna in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci menswear and Versace shoes in Monaco - 13 July 2013
Rihanna in KTZ in Denmark - 6 July 2013
Rihanna in Tom Ford AW13 boots arriving in Poland - 6 July 2013
Rihanna at Chanel show, Haute Couture Fall Winter 2013, Paris Fashion Week - 2 July 2013
Rihanna out and about, London, Britain - 20 June 2013
Oiut and about in New York - 17 July 2015 [Rex]
Wearing Marni dress and Chanel loafers out and about in New York - 13 July 2015 [Rex]
At the Dior Autumn/ Winter photocall in Tokyo - 16 June 2015 [Rex]
Out and about in New York - 1 June 2015 [Rex]
At the Met Gala wearing Guo Pei - 4 May 2015 [Rex]
At the Jimmy Kimmel Live show wearing Moschino - 1 April 2015 [Rex]
At the Home premiere wearing Dior - 22 March 2015 [Rex]
At the Good Morning America show wearing Pascal Millet - 13 March 2015 [Rex]
At the Fendi fashion store opening in New York - 13 February 2015 [Rex]
At the Grammy Awards wearing Giambattista Valli - 8 February 2015 [Rex]
Out and about in New York - 23 December 2014 [Rex]
At the Diamond Ball wearing Zac Posen - 11 December 2014 [Rex]
At the British Fashion Awards wearing Stella McCartney - 1 December 2014 [Rex]
At the It's Not Over premiere wearing Altuzarra - 18 November 2014 [Rex]
At the amfAR Inspiration Gala wearing Tom Ford - 29 October 2014 [Rex]
At the Edun show at New York Fashion Week - 7 September 2014 [Rex]
Out and about in New York wearing Alexander Wang for H&M - 7 September 2014 [Rex]
Out and about in New York wearing Adam Selman - 5 September 2014 [Rex]