How Rihanna Established Herself as an Institution in the Makeup and Apparel Worlds

We’ve seen examples of this in companies like Adidas, which grew from sports apparel retailer to a lifestyle brand seated at the intersection of pop cultural progression, leading creative workshops and selling apparel at the same time. The way Apple evolved from a progressive tech product to a lifestyle-enhancement tool effortlessly integrated into our everyday lives is the stuff of legends. Regardless of what they’re selling, monumental brands understand the art of allowing consumers to not only witness company growth but to be a part of it.

In today’s new pop culture economy, we see public figures going further than grabbing brand endorsements. They’re turning themselves into larger-than-life institutions that quite literally reshape industries and create new standards for success.

Even on a star-studded list that includes Jay-Z, Drake, Beyoncé, LeBron James and more, Rihanna stands out. Over the last decade, she has seamlessly transitioned her brand from burgeoning pop princess to a fashion and beauty empire, with Fenty sitting amongst the ranks of the most prestigious in modern culture. That transition required three key product development and marketing practices that redefined her image and made it evergreen, while capitalizing on opportunities in the marketplace that would solidify her longevity.

Creating an evergreen brand ethos

When we think about the term “evergreen,” we typically think about content that remains relevant. In the case of Rihanna, the concept of evergreen applies to her overall image and brand ethos. She owned her sexuality unapologetically. She owned her business and demanded respect in her field of work. Rihanna embodied the image of the new-age woman who refuses the confines of societal standards.

Globally, from 2015 to 2016, rates of women’s entrepreneurship are double that of their male counterparts. In the United States, where women own 11.3 million businesses, it is estimated that 36% of all businesses are owned by women, an increase of 6% from 2007. According to Nielsen, the number of businesses majority-owned by black women grew 67% between 2007 and 2012. In 2018, there were over 114% more female entrepreneurs than 20 years ago. By establishing a brand identity rooted in the cultural shift projected to keep growing among her core millennial demographic, Rihanna has made herself a resonating brand for years to come.

Filling customer gaps

Black women make up 14% of all U.S. women, yet they set the trends and drive mainstream revenue. A reported 63% of black women agreed that they were willing to purchase high-quality items, but oddly enough they were left out of marketing campaigns and not considered in product development. Specifically, in the fashion and beauty industry, makeup and apparel brands failed to offer enough shades or clothing sizes to include the many colors and shapes of the most influential demographic.

Enter Rihanna, who created a product for a highly profitable yet underserved demographic. She dove into the market with Fenty Beauty, offering 40 shades of foundation and literally redefining the industry standard as Maybelline, CoverGirl, Revlon and more rushed to copy the approach dubbed by outlets as the “Fenty Effect,” which propelled Fenty Beauty to a valuation of nearly a billion dollars.

As far as luxury fashion, curvy women are typically left out altogether. It’s a strange oversight, given that 68% of women wear size 14 and up. Fenty clothing filled yet another gap in the market by offering up to size 14 with plans to go further, which is genius considering plus-size apparel currently makes up just 0.1% of the luxury market.

Culturally and socially conscious marketing

Offering a stellar product is only half the battle for any brand. If marketing efforts are off-target, it’s easy to fail at connecting with potential consumers. In a time when social and cultural consciousness is of utmost importance to consumers, Rihanna’s Fenty homed in on inclusivity and won big. With Fenty, no woman is made to feel like she’s left out. All women can see themselves in the models endorsing the products and the Instagram feed portraying the lifestyle.

In a well-timed launch, Fenty put inclusivity at the forefront during New York Fashion Week. Most notably, the brand is authentic in its offering and messaging. Consumers can see through the smoke of targeted ads and brands literally buying their attention. Fenty created a buzz based on conversation, which is the most important metric in marketing because it’s the only one that can’t be bought.

The execution by Rihanna and her team is something to be studied. They have successfully positioned her as one of the most influential and innovative minds in the world. It’s beyond music: She is a walking enterprise. She’s not just a brand; she’s an institution. She serves a market that spends the most, and until now, was almost completely ignored. That’s the type of business acumen that allows Rihanna to integrate vertically into a powerful conglomerate like LVMH, providing products for generations to come. That Rihanna reign isn’t letting up anytime soon.