Tag: Rihanna

Fit & Fabulous

Rihanna Returns to the Red Carpet at the 2025 CFDA Fashion Awards in Effortless Elegance

Tanisha Cardozo

Rihanna made a spectacular return to the spotlight at the 2025 CFDA Fashion Awards, where she accompanied her partner A$AP Rocky, honoured as a fashion icon. The superstar, who recently welcomed her baby girl Rocki Irish Mayers, looked radiant and confident as she walked the red carpet in New York.

For her first public appearance post-motherhood, Rihanna embraced understated glamour. She wore a black floor-length trench coat, cinched at the waist, paired with flowy white trousers and sleek black patent leather heels. Her dazzling diamond earrings perfectly complemented her ensemble, while her natural post-baby glow stole the spotlight. Effortless yet statement-making, the look reflected Rihanna’s timeless approach to fashion — one that balances strength, sophistication, and authenticity.

A$AP Rocky, the man of the moment, coordinated his look with precision. The rapper wore a sharp tailored suit layered with a yellow V-neck sweater and cream-and-black dress shoes — a refined yet playful combination that perfectly matched Rihanna’s classic style. Together, the couple exuded chemistry, elegance, and confidence without overshadowing one another.

Their appearance quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the night, not just for their style but also for the speculation it sparked. Just a week earlier, A$AP Rocky had referred to himself as Rihanna’s husband, sending fans into a frenzy over the possibility of a secret marriage. While neither has officially confirmed the rumours, their synchronized looks and affectionate red-carpet moments added more fuel to the buzz.

For Rihanna, this outing was more than a fashion statement — it was a celebration of strength, womanhood, and effortless power. From global music icon to style leader and now a devoted mother, she continues to redefine what it means to own every chapter of life with grace and individuality.

As the flashes dimmed and the applause settled, one truth remained undeniable: Bad Gal RiRi is back — and she’s shining brighter than ever.

Human Interest

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Welcome Baby No. 3, Daughter Rocki Irish Mayers

Tanisha Cardozo

Rihanna has officially become a mother of three. On September 13, the Grammy-winning artist and entrepreneur welcomed her third child—a baby girl named Rocki Irish Mayers—with longtime partner and rapper A$AP Rocky. The couple confirmed the news via Instagram, where Rihanna shared a heartwarming image of herself holding her newborn daughter wrapped in a soft pink blanket, accompanied by a symbolic photo of pink boxing gloves tied with satin ribbons. The caption simply read: “Rocki Irish Mayers, Sept 13 2025.”

Rocki’s arrival completes what fans have been calling Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s “perfect family of five,” joining her older brothers—RZA, age 3, and Riot, age 2. The couple has been open about their joy at expanding their family. Back in July, during the premiere of The Smurfs Movie, in which Rihanna voiced the character of Smurfette, she revealed that both boys were thrilled about the idea of a new sibling. She also shared her own hopes, admitting she “always wanted a girl” but felt grateful either way, saying, “God knows best, right? And I love my boys.”

A$AP Rocky shared his own excitement in a statement to the Associated Press, saying, “It feels amazing. We were tired of holding that in, and now everyone can share in our joy. We’re definitely happy.”

For Rihanna, motherhood has been life-changing. Over the years, she’s reflected on how becoming a parent shaped her style, her confidence, and even her approach to creativity. She’s proudly embraced her role as a “boy mom,” telling E! News last year that it made her feel “really cool.” But now, with the arrival of her daughter, fans are eager to see how her journey as a mother evolves even further.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s relationship has only grown stronger with time and parenthood. “We’re best friends with a baby,” Rihanna famously told British Vogue in 2023. “Everything changes when you have a baby, but I wouldn’t say it’s done anything but made us closer.”

With Rocki Irish Mayers now part of the family, Rihanna’s world just became a little more pink—and the world is celebrating with her.

Entertainment

Pop Mart’s Labubu Craze Fuels Global Expansion as Brand Eyes $2.78B Revenue

Tanisha Cardozo

Pop Mart, the Beijing-based collectibles powerhouse known for its blind-box toys, is making bold moves to transform itself from a retail sensation into a full-fledged global cultural brand. At the heart of this transformation is Labubu, a mischievous and toothy character from artist Kasing Lung’s The Monsters series, which has taken the world by storm and captured the attention of fans and celebrities alike—including Rihanna and David Beckham.

At a recent investor briefing, CEO Wang Ning told analysts that Pop Mart is on track to generate 20 billion yuan ($2.78 billion) in revenue by 2025, confidently suggesting that 30 billion yuan this year “should be quite easy” following a blockbuster first half. The company reported an extraordinary near-400% surge in net profit, driven largely by robust international demand where margins tend to be higher than in China.

With over 40 stores already in the United States, Pop Mart is doubling down with plans to open 10 more by the end of the year. But the expansion doesn’t stop there. Company executives pointed to promising markets across the Middle East, Central Europe, and Latin America, adding that sales from North America and Asia-Pacific could match China’s by as early as 2024.

The company’s signature product remains the blind box: a sealed toy package priced between $10–$20, beloved by collectors for the thrill of the unknown. But Pop Mart is now evolving its intellectual properties beyond the toy aisle. Labubu, its flagship character, is being adapted into new formats, including a mini phone charm launching this week—part of a strategy to extend the character’s influence across everyday consumer culture.

The bigger vision? Entertainment. Wang revealed the company is investing in animated films, theme parks, and other storytelling mediums that could make Pop Mart’s characters fixtures in global pop culture. While these moves may not yield immediate revenue, they are central to Pop Mart’s ambition to become “Asia’s answer to Disney or Sanrio”—companies that have turned beloved characters into multi-generational global franchises.

From humble beginnings in retail to ambitious IP-driven growth, Pop Mart’s trajectory signals the rising global influence of Asian consumer brands. With strong creative assets and a growing fanbase, its transformation could reshape the global entertainment and merchandising landscape—and Labubu might just be the face that leads the charge.

International

Dior Faces Backlash for Not Crediting India’s Mukaish Embroidery in $200,000 Coat

allycaralgoa

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

In the wake of Prada’s controversy over Kolhapuri chappals, another global fashion giant, Dior, is now facing heat for failing to credit India for a traditional embroidery technique featured in one of its newest couture pieces.

The luxury fashion house unveiled a $200,000 gold and ivory houndstooth coat at Paris Fashion Week as part of designer Jonathan Anderson’s debut collection for Dior. The event, attended by high-profile celebrities like Rihanna, Daniel Craig, and Robert Pattinson, was celebrated for its craftsmanship — but has since drawn criticism for cultural insensitivity.

The issue? The embroidery technique used in the opulent coat is believed to be Mukaish, an intricate hand embroidery style from Lucknow, India, known for using metallic threads to create shimmering motifs. Despite the garment reportedly taking 34 days to complete, no mention of “Mukaish” or its Indian roots was made in Dior’s promotional material or runway notes.

The oversight was highlighted by fashion analyst Hanan Besnovic, who runs the popular Instagram page @ideaservecouture. In a now-viral post, he broke down the craftsmanship behind the coat and stated:

“This is a traditional Indian hand embroidery technique… yet nowhere has Dior acknowledged its origin. This is about credit. This is about cultural respect.”

The backlash has reignited debates around cultural appropriation in fashion, where Western labels often incorporate traditional or indigenous art forms without proper acknowledgment or benefit to the original creators.

Fashion lovers, designers, and Indian artisans alike have taken to social media to express frustration, noting that such oversight erases cultural history and overlooks the skilled craftspeople keeping these traditions alive.

Critics argue that Dior missed an opportunity to spotlight India’s rich embroidery heritage — particularly Mukaish, which dates back centuries and has been passed down through generations of artisans in Uttar Pradesh.

The incident comes at a time when global conversations around ethical fashion, sustainability, and cultural sensitivity are louder than ever. As Indian textiles and techniques continue to inspire luxury fashion globally, many are calling for transparency, collaboration, and fair credit.

Whether Dior responds to the controversy remains to be seen, but the message from critics is loud and clear: Acknowledgement matters.