lover of fashion to being a fashion girl to making fashion

Rihanna. International music superstar. Fashion icon. Fashion and Beauty mogul. The true definition of an IT girl. Should I go on? 

Rihanna has had one heck of a year and it's not because shes released another hit album or has managed to continuously pump out iconic outfit after iconic outfit. Actually, her success this year has had nothing to do with her music career, which is what helped catapult the Blasian singer into superstardom. In the past few years, Rihanna has proved that everything she touches turns to gold and this year she took it to a whole new level. Whilst maintaining and running her businesses Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty Rihanna announced this year that she will be launching her eponymous brand Fenty from the ground up with LVMH a luxury powerhouse that is home to the likes of Dior and Givenchy. In doing so she will be making history by becoming the first black woman to be heading a label at the house.

Not too long after this announcement she then appeared Forbes Self Made women list at number 37 has garnered a net worth of $600 million with over $500 million of that being attributed to Fenty Beauty. 

A lot of Musicians tend to go into business ventures outside of entertainment, some succeed, some don't. However, what Rihanna has done is that she has not succeeded in the business world but conquered it all still remaining Rihanna. Her honesty and authenticity have been what has drawn people hence why people will always buy into, Shes like an older sister who will tell you how it is but with love. You trust her, therefore you trust her product.

In her interview with Interview magazine, she gets candid, about her business, her mental health and her man. Whilst reading this, I couldn't help but pick up a few gems. Here are 3 messages that stayed with me and I hope will stay with you too.

1. Make Time For Yourself 

3 years since her last album ANTI, Rihanna has maintained a low profile music-wise. Rihanna revealed that although she is launching business after business, collection after collection, she still has her personal days. Two-three days out of each month are dedicated personal days. During these days she logs out of all things work-related and spends time with the people she loves. For 2019 Rihanna, relationships are important to her. She answers the 'are you in love' question with 'of course I am' and affirms that she 'has to make time' for the relationship. Later on in the interview, she confirms that she wants to be a mother 'more than anything in the world'. This is a side of the self-proclaimed 'bad gal' that has never been seen before. Rihanna has built her image on being this independent, fearless and unattainable woman, we didn't realise that she may not want to be the jet setting rich aunty brings back gifts from her travels.

Although Rihanna still works incredibly hard she shows that she always has to make room for herself. I know we live in an age of side hustles, where its normal to have 20 different sources of income including a 9-5. I also know that we don't have Rihanna money, therefore we feel we can't even afford to relax. If you are putting in extra hours at your 9-5, or working on 9-5 during the day and working your side hustles at night. If you are a freelancer in five different fields or have your own business that you work on 24/7, even if you are doing all of the above and doing it on your own, always take a day or two to turn off. Prioritise your mental health and your nurture your relationships because they are what will get you through the pitfalls in your career.

2. Do Not Rush Your Creativity

This lesson is an easy transition from the previous one as it requires to listen to yourself. Rihanna now has the luxury to take her time when it comes to her music, something that its clear she hasn't always had. With 8 studio albums and roles in various Hollywood movies, this is the first time the public has had to beg Rihanna for an album. Even amidst her success in the beauty and fashion business world, the words on everybody's lips is 'where's the new album'?

From the interview, it is confirmed that we will be getting a new album, but she wants to take her time, enjoy the process and make sure that she's happy with every single. Rihanna's advice for anyone that is even remotely creative of working towards a goal to not rush to the end just to say that you have done it. Enjoy the journey. And if your creativity pays the bills, its harder but it is important to find a balance between fulfilling your soul and fulfilling your stomach. Often time the later will trump the former but make sure you make time enjoy your creative process. 

3. Sound Out The Noise 

Rihanna speaks on haters and drowning out the voices of people telling her she won't succeed. As a woman who has been in the limelight for over a decade, she has shown us that to achieve happiness and freedom, you have to be yourself. Remember when Rihanna posted those topless pics in 2014 that got her Instagram taken down. She has never been afraid of the rules, which is why she not only has a say on the type of music we listen to but the type of clothes and makeup we wear.  

Now I don't think she's telling us to go around taking topless pics just to prove that we don't give an f%@K. But Rihanna, an artist who has an image or brand to uphold has told us that there are actually no rules especially when it comes to creating your own image and brand. So let go the idea you have of yourself, of where you think you should be in your life and what you think you should be doing. Block out the noise, whether it the ones created by your family, friends, society or the ones created by yourself.

4. If You Skimmed Past 1,2 and 3  

Although there are many lessons to be learnt from Rihanna, one that rings true and is the true essence of Rihanna's persona, brand and being is that you can be and become anything you want to be. As a woman in this world, you have the right to be complex and multi-disciplined and still be successful. You do not have to feel confined to one version of yourself.