One year ago Melina was the Fan of the month here on the blog. She told us about her jewelry brand Saga Melina and how Rihanna is a big inspiration in the creative process.

”Rihanna inspires me a lot. Every piece I make is created to exude confidence and promote an individual style. That’s something that I’ve been inspired by her to do.”

– Melina

Well, it’s working because Melina is one of ten designers who’s been chosen to showcase her work at Stockholm Fashion Week in August 2018. Couldn’t be prouder!

Jewelry by Saga Melina.

Obviously that’s a little nerve-wracking but thank god for Rihanna who’s quick to support her fans. Just look at her respons when Melina vented how nervous she is:

I remember after the Malmö AWT show how Melina and I was able to give the gifts we brought to Rihanna to her security. To this day I still don’t know if she ever saw them but I pray to God she at least opened Melina’s because she handmade this beautiful bracelet in silver for her. It was incredibly pretty and deserves to be seen tbh.

Here’s to creative fangirls! We’re the best, I wanna love and support us forever.

SS18 is Rihanna’s final collection for Puma. She went out with a bang, or on a bike, and have managed to pull off a real reboot of PUMA since she became the company’s women’s creative director back in 2014 (earnings went up 17% the first year alone).

I’ve tried to get something from each collection, first to wear but now it’s more of a collectors thing. I enjoy having the pieces in my home, even if I’ve found I don’t really wear them much. 1) they’re expensive and I’m kind of too scared to ruin them and 2) I’m a + size girl and Rihanna doesn’t really make + size clothing (for my body type at least). So I stick to the accessories, shoes, make-up etc. And on occasion a piece of clothing, I’m not gonna lie :)

still not over it…😱 #FENTYxPUMA SS18. In case ya missed it…

A post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on Sep 21, 2017 at 8:33am PDT

Is there anything I want to get from the SS18 collection? Yes. Yes. Yes. Can I afford it? Nope. Do I think it’s gonna fit me? Doubtful. So I’ll wait until I can try the pieces on this time as there’s no point in consuming (ever) things I won’t wear, and can’t afford. Looking forward to seeing other people wear it all though! And Rihanna herself of course. Imagine that feeling, going to a club in clothes you designed, wearing your own make-up and listening to your own songs. Must be so surreal.

Selected looks from the Fenty x Puma SS18. Photos by Luca Tombolini / Indigital.tv via Vogue.

I think it’s pretty amazing she’s managed to pull this off in the midst of all her other projects (!). How does the woman get the time? And energy? And focus? A true inspiration.

There’s been so much going on and I haven’t been writing about any ot if – I KNOW. Fenty x Puma show, Diamond Ball, Fenty Beauty launches, clapbacks, tweets to Trump and a lot of fan interaction. It’s a magical time to be a Rihanna fan. It’s also very stressful time to be me. I have 4 deadlines coming up before December while also studying full time, meaning my life is a bit hectic. Compared to Rihanna it’s nothing though. Like I said, she has been busy and I very much cherish and see everything. Like Beyoncé and her at the Diamond Ball together:

A dream come true <3 I get so happy everytime I see them supporting each other. This was the third annual Diamond Ball for the Clara Lionel Foundation and the first time the event was held in New York City.

In the spirit of giving back and organizing for change, RiRi has also been busy tweeting Donald Trump these past days about his complete ignorance and refusal to help with the disaster that’s still happening in Puerto Rico. Rumor has it if he replies negatively in any way a revolution will finally happen…

On to the Fenty Beauty launches! New York, London, Paris and Madrid all got a visit – in that order.

My favorite look is the Madrid one. I’m on the floor everytime I see those pics. Mamacita!

Besides from Rihanna’s presence at them, the most exciting part of these launches was the London party for me. Five fans from the UK navy got invited and I can’t even begin to imagine what an experience that must have been. Dan, one of the sweetest fans I know, got to spend his night with Rih and I teared up watching to livestream.

Do you see how close they were?! At the same damn bar, at the same damn party, at the same damn time.

Have any of you gotten your hands on some Fenty Beauty btw? I’ve picked up a few things and am super happy about them all. Foundation sits beautifully, Trophy Wife is completely insane, Unicorn is fun and the gloss smells so good I could eat it.

Ok you know what, I thought I’d be able to cover everything that’s been going on with Rih lately in this post but it’s too much and I don’t want to rush it. Fenty x Puma will get it’s own post, in it’s own time. Just know part of the AW17 collection went on sale today! Available at the usual places, including Pumas website of course.

/A

Oh! And I was interviewed by P3 about Rihanna yesterday. It’s a big thing they’re doing so it’ll probably take some time before it’s out but I’ll make sure to let you know when it happens (even if I’m panicking a bit over allt he things I forgot and all the blabbering).

In an amazing turn of events I’ve been able to spend the night with Rihanna. Fenty Beauty livestreamed the launch on Facebook and we got have Rih as our host! She invited all viewers to take a shot everytime we hear the word ”midnight” (which is when the launch is happening) and it was basically all a party after that.

Now it’s the middle of the night and I have to sleep, but I wanted to share some highlights from the interviews and small talk before I turn in. Rihanna…

… on being so hands-on in the creative process:
– You know me. I’m a control freak, especially anything with my name and my face on it.

… on diversity:
– You wanna fill a void.
– Diversity was very important to us. I wanted all girls to be included. I need my friends to feel included.
– We started with 40 shades and we will continue to expand that.
– I wan’t women all over the world to feel great. We are women and we have challenges and we deserve to feel beautiful. And I want women of all shapes and all colors and all races to be apart of this. I want all women to take part of it.

… on the time it took to create her make-up heart on the ELLE cover:
– I’m so OCD. I wanted the edges to be so sharp and clean.

… on when she feels the most beautiful:
– When I have a tan and when my skin is really good. And usually in humid weather. I guess that’s really me describing Barbados right now.

… on Fenty Beauty and her priority in developing the brand:
– It’s make-up so the options are endless. There’s so many products that you can make. But overall I just wanted women around the world to feel included. I wanted everybody to feel like they can have a piece of this cause this is made for everyone to be played with.
– This is the funnest aspect of my carrier.

Now, is there anything else on the list she wanna do?
– Maybe furniture? I’ve thought about it, I’ve dreamt about it.

HOLY SHIT WHO WAS READY!? Rihanna is on the cover of not just one but FOUR (4!) ELLE covers in October! And she’s wearing Fenty Beauty on all of them! I’m pissing my pants from excitement!!!

ELLE US (x3):

The next cover is both US, UK and Canada:

ELLE Portugal:

And there’s an amazing interview in these too where she’s answering questions from Tyra Banks, Eminem, Zac Posen and Pharrell Williams amongst others. Some highlights from what Elle have posted so far:

David Copperfield, Magician: I’m not kidding, this is a real offer: I can make you disappear and reappear anywhere in the world. Where do you want to go, and why?

Rihanna: Ten minutes before I lost my virginity…and I’m holding you to that offer. LOL.

Laverne Cox, Actress: You’ve had so many iconic fashion moments and take so many risks. The iconic CFDA Awards Adam Selman dress in 2014—what gave you the courage to take that risk that was so perfect and elegant yet daring?

Rihanna: Dear Laverne, I took advantage of my titties before they go south. I saw my window, and I took it.

Behind the scenes:

Watch the behind the scenes of my @ELLEmagazine cover shoot featuring @fentybeauty! pic.twitter.com/Es7RViww6V

— Rihanna (@rihanna) September 7, 2017

Bonus: a lot of new pics from the Fenty Beauty line dropping tonight/tomorrow (depending on where you live) have been released. Enjoy, is all I can say, and perhaps hold on to your wallets:

Robyn Rihanna Fenty: I’m grateful I get to live during the same time as you.