Sunday, February 17, 2013

Rihanna River Island: Star makes mark on London Fashion Week with sassy high street collection

Rihanna River Island: Star makes mark on London Fashion Week with sassy high street collection

By Toni Jones

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It takes a lot to stand out at London Fashion Week and the pressure was on the singer and high street brand River island to meet expectations in what has become the most hyped collection of the season.

In true Rihanna style the star kept the press waiting for almost an hour in a breezy London warehouse, but then surprised us all by presenting a wearable, impressive collection that captured the star's more grown up side as well as the street style that she is famous for.

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Rihanna attends a photocall to launch the Rihanna for River Island collection during London Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013/14 at The Old Sorting Office today

Rihanna attends a photocall to launch the Rihanna for River Island collection during London Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013/14 at The Old Sorting Office today

Exceeded expectations: It takes a lot to stand out at London Fashion Week and the pressure was on the singer and high street brand River Island

The high street range - her first move in to fashion - featured thigh splits, double denim, neon pops, humbug stripes and a Cara Delevingne spot on the front row.

The model of the moment, 20, was sat with supermodel buddy Jourdan Dunn.

Fellow model Laura Whitmore and Mollie King from the Saturdays were also in attendance.

While the feel of the collection was quite young, Rihanna also included some seriously elegant maxi dresses, dip-hemmed shirts and digital print separates that will find a home in the 30 something market.

They team eschewed the standard catwalk in favour of industrial staging lit up by neon flashes.

Models were the kind of cool girls every 16 year old wants to be and the hip-hop soundtrack kept her young fans happy.

'I got passionate about fashion and every time I saw something on a rack there would be something I'd want to do to it to change it'

'I got passionate about fashion and every time I saw something on a rack there would be something I'd want to do to it to change it'

With legs like Rihanna's: The leather sandals are sure to be a sell out, but these floral shorts are only fit for the super-lithe

With legs like Rihanna's: The leather sandals are sure to be a sell out, but these floral shorts are only fit for the super-lithe

Stacked up: Crop bra top, button down skirt with denim shirt tied round waist, the look is pulled together with chunky boots

Stacked up: Crop bra top, button down skirt with denim shirt tied round waist, the look is pulled together with chunky boots

Crop everything: Ruched tied top and cropped floral trousers are brought together with tough yet elegant cuffed sandals

Crop everything: Ruched tied top and cropped floral trousers are brought together with tough yet elegant cuffed sandals

Urban flower: A flirty feminine piece which would work just as well with wedges as chunky boots

Urban flower: A flirty feminine piece which would work just as well with wedges as chunky boots

Varsity girl: If there's one item to buy this season, its the varsity jacket. This one is pure Rihanna, paired with back turned baseball cap

Varsity girl: If there's one item to buy this season, its the varsity jacket. This one is pure Rihanna, paired with back turned baseball cap

The girl's got edge: We hope to see Tilda Swinton rocking this peach look. Leather cuff sandals anchor it to the collection

The girl's got edge: We hope to see Tilda Swinton rocking this peach look. Leather cuff sandals anchor it to the collection

Box out: If you plan to pair a cropped sweatshirt with a low-rise skirt, don't approach unless your midriff is as toned as Ri-Ri's

Box out: If you plan to pair a cropped sweatshirt with a low-rise skirt, don't approach unless your midriff is as toned as Ri-Ri's

Signature: We often see Rihanna's lithe pins popping out of a thigh high split spaghetti strap dress. Now you can too

Signature: We often see Rihanna's lithe pins popping out of a thigh high split spaghetti strap dress. Now you can too

Striped soul sista: Shoes and headscarf tie an entirely striped ensemble together, accessories with colour-pop nails and gold hoops

Striped soul sista: Shoes and headscarf tie an entirely striped ensemble together, accessories with colour-pop nails and gold hoops

Tupac is my homeboy: Ties headscarf homage to late rapper worked perfectly with the vibe of Rihanna's collection

Tupac is my homeboy: Ties headscarf homage to late rapper worked perfectly with the vibe of Rihanna's collection

Floral frenzy: Tough boots, slick hair and gold hoops make this feminine dress edgy

Floral frenzy: Tough boots, slick hair and gold hoops make this feminine dress edgy

All of the lights: Nice to see pop of colour on cute crop tops, albeit slightly ill-fitting

All of the lights: Nice to see pop of colour on cute crop tops, albeit slightly ill-fitting

Nineties denim, bomber jackets, spaghetti strap slip dresses and leather caps, hooded all in ones, and colour pop satin dresses were the big trends

Nineties denim, bomber jackets, spaghetti strap slip dresses and leather caps, hooded all in ones, and colour pop satin dresses were the big trends

Nineties denim, bomber jackets, spaghetti strap slip dresses and leather caps, hooded all in ones, and colour pop satin dresses were the big trends in this comfortable yet edgy spring summer capsule collection.

Rihanna told press: 'I've wanted to design my own fashion line for a very long time.

'This is something I've wanted to do ever since I started loving fashion. I got passionate about it and every time I saw something on a rack there would be something I'd want to do to it to change it.

So I felt like the only way I could do that would be to design the perfect thing for me.

'This is my way of doing that - teaming up with River Island and designing clothes for young women with young, sassy personalities.'

Warehouse rave: Nineties denim featured heavily at times in Rihanna's collection for River Island

Warehouse rave: Nineties denim featured heavily at times in Rihanna's collection for River Island

Rihanna included some seriously elegant maxi dresses and dip-hemmed shirts

Rihanna included some seriously elegant maxi dresses and dip-hemmed shirts

Triple denim: Customised jeans and matching detached dungaree top make a cool match

Triple denim: Customised jeans and matching detached dungaree top make a cool match

Don't worry, be happy: Sunny yellow in a boxy shape with tied sweatshirt and slick hair makes this street

Don't worry, be happy: Sunny yellow in a boxy shape with tied sweatshirt and slick hair makes this street

Lost in Paradise: Tropical roots reflected in neon brights and beach appropriate separates

Lost in Paradise: Tropical roots reflected in neon brights and beach appropriate separates

  VIDEO  Rihanna on stage at launch of her range at London Fashion Week 

  VIDEO  Rihanna says her River Island collection is made for sassy girls 

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