Remember Rihanna’s epic night at the VMAs? I sat down to chat with the up-and-coming designer behind the jacket worn by RiRi in the third performance. Meet fangirl Ya Jun Lin.

Ya Jun Lin.

Hi! You just had your design worn by Rihanna during the MTV Video Music Awards (aka one of the biggest night of her carrier) – how did that happen?
I am a recent graduate from Parsons. I was chosen as one of the twelve finalists among the Kering X Vogue competition. Mel Ottenberg (Rihanna’s stylist) was on our VIP panel. He contacted me after the graduation show asking to borrow my jacket for the VMAs.

How did it feel to see something you’ve designed on (freakin) RiRi?
I was super happy to see her in it. People who have seen my clothes would always say Rihanna would wear it. I would always take that as a compliment and never thought I actually had a chance to see her wearing it.

Rihanna in jacket designed by Ya Jun Lin during the 2016 VMAs. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images.

Did you know what the entire outfit was going to look like or just that they wanted to use your jacket?
I didn’t know how they were going to style it. I always thought the jacket would be too hot for her to wear in this weather. I’ve seen a photo of her wearing it in fitting, that already made me happy for weeks.

Tell us about the piece! The design process behind it and how it fits in with the rest of your aesthetics.
The jacket was the last design I had for the collection. It was last minute and it was the statement piece of the whole line. It is filled with down feathers and all the ribbons were a wool blend. The ribbon created gathers to adjust the volume and length of the jacket. My aesthetic is very unisex and a little rebellious, I think the jacket shows a lot of that.

Will we be seeing more of your designs on Rihanna in the future?
I hope so!

Like you said you finished your BFA in fashion design at Parson’s School of Design earlier this year. Besides from that, what is your creative background?
Since high school I was always into art/design, I never limit myself what I have to do. I took branding classes, photography classes at Art center during high school and did a lot of drawing and painting.

I’ve read that Rihanna has been your muse for a long time. Would you call yourself a fangirl?
No doubt. Always been a fan.

”When I drew Rihanna in my jacket. So happy to see her actually wear it.” /Ya Jun Lin

Besides from $he, what/who are your other influences?
I’m into a lot of trap music. When I start designing I just put the music on and start drawing.

Why fashion? Was it always an obvious choice?
It wasn’t really that obvious for me, as I mentioned I really liked art/design in general. I constantly have other ideas on branding, creative directing, product designing. I liked fashion the most probably because fashion design has a bit of everything.

Finally, where can we find your designs?
I haven’t mass produce any of my designs yet, I am thinking of launching my own line next season. People can email me to pre-order if they are interested in my current designs.

Sorry to be so late to tell you this (I know I know, if you’re a stan it’s all old news) but there’s a Fenty pop-up shop at Colette in Paris. Here you’ll find all things Rihanna, including her perfumes, the collaborations with Dior, Stance, Puma and Manolo Blahnik and the Anti World Tour merchandise.

Rihanna made sure to pay the pop-up shop a visit before it closes tomorrow aaaaaaaand…. ones again she graced us with a heavenly outfit. I don’t know a single color or style that doesn’t suit this girl, nor have I seen her step out without it looking like a damn photo shoot. Mind blowing to say the least.

For all of us not in Paris: Colette’s online store is also selling it all. The Leadcats are sold out but I’m thinking about getting another pair of these because comfort and looks are perfected. Shout out to the caps as well, my favorite AWT merch by far.

Note the tail. I love her in a tail. Hate fur though. Snap out of it Rih.

Yes! The sun has made it to our Northern part of the world and my back is finally the shade of a tomato again. The struggle’s been real but we’ve made it through winter peeps. Celebration is called for. Personally, I do this by resting my eyes on Rihanna’s entrance to this season.

Such a stylish modern boho in her maxi dresses, prints, thigh highs and expensive bras. *prayer hands discreetly wiping off the drool*

And there’s more summer feels to come as she’s gone back to Barbados for some well deserved vaca before the European leg of her world tour starts (GAH THE FIRST STOP IS ONLY 17 DAYS AWAY!!!!!!!).

Almost afraid to post these next pics because panties will get moist and fangirls faint but let’s not let that stop us.

Hahahahhaaa don’t even know how to react to her anymore?!?! I’ve given up. There’s no proper way of living this life with Rihanna on the same planet.

Even if this is a Rihanna blog, can we stop and paus for Melissa $$ Forde for a sec too? Because….

Also very happy to be getting some Leandra coverage again. No one provides us with better videos than her.

RIHunited in BIM ?????? pic.twitter.com/JG50tUjbxG

— BUY ANTI (@SadeS2RiRi) June 1, 2016

/Alex

The Creepers, Leadcats and Trainers are all selling out immediately. I’m crying myself to sleep over this (the cravings for those white satin creepers are beyond!) and I’m sure many feel the same. So I’ve put together a little list of where you can still find some limited sizes. Perhaps you’re lucky and find yours!

CREEPERS
Green/Burgundy: $140 at Ruvilla.
Black: $140 at Ruvilla.
Black: $150 at RISE.
White satin: $150 at RISE.
White satin: $140 at Shiekh.

TRAINERS
White: $227 at Asos.
White: 1799kr at Sneakersnstuff.
White and black: 1799kr at Shelta.
White and black: €189 at Snkrs.
Red, black and white: $244 at Yme Universe.
Red, black and white: 1768kr at Sarenza.

Men’s white: $180 at MadisonStyle.

LEADCAT
Black: 799kr at Caliroots. (LAST ONE)

I’m gonna try and make it to Copenhagen this week to see if Wood Wood still has some Creepers as well. Cross your fingers will you?

/Alex

YASSSSS!! We finally got the first promo pictures of Rihanna for Dior.

Rihanna is getting ready to drop her first sunglasses collection for Dior. The shades will be available exclusively in Dior’s stores early June and come in six different colors: silver, blue, green, pink and red for $840 and of course a deluxe 24-karat gold-plated version for $1,950.

”The process was pretty seamless. I spent a day at Dior with their eyewear design team. I started by looking through all the archives to see what they’ve done in the past, then got acquainted with all the new materials. I literally sat there and drew and drew until I was happy with the design, and the team illustrated it for me right then and there. We picked materials and colors that same day, and after that it was a matter of weeks before I saw the first prototype.” – Rihanna

This is the first time Rih designs for Dior but she did collaborate with them last year when she became the first black woman to be the face of Dior (!!!!). They then shot a film inside Versailles to Goodnight Gotham (back then known as Only If For A Night) for the Secret Garden IV campaign.