Rihanna also decided she wanted to go in a different direction with her fashion sense. After trying out a couple of new stylists ("The old stylist from the first album didn't get that we wanted to upgrade the image -- the new Rihanna," she explains), she found Mariel Haenn, who understood her vision. Names like Zac Posen, Roberto Cavalli and Christian Dior have become a part of her style vocabulary, and for her new release and revamped "glam rock" image, Rihanna is looking to the rock 'n' roll infused designs of Dolce & Gabbana. "[They] are on point with the new image. I hate when stuff is too high fashion. I like when stuff suits me, my personality, my age," she says. "Now I have the right team that can express how I like to dress."
As a woman in youthful prime, Rihanna is relentlessly looking for new outlets of self expression. So it's not surprising that during our interview she takes me with her to a neon-lit tattoo parlor in the heart of New York's Greenwich Village. What is surprising is that the establishment is completely rundown, and not in a kitschy way. Nothing cute about it. As a matter of fact, it's on the same block as a sex-toy emporium and a Taco Bell that was recently closed down for rat infestation. Rihanna bursts in with hellos all around and a big hug for her tattoo artist Bang Bang (clearly, this is not her first time here). "I'm down here at, like, midnight or two o'clock in the morning. Every time I come to New York, I get tempted to do something weird, like get a piercing or a tattoo." When asked if she has any piercings, she first shows me her ear and then produces a sneaky smile. I take the bait: "Aren't you a good girl gone bad, Rihanna?" She giggles mischievously: "But I'm still a good girl."
Rihanna is pondering where she should get her fourth tattoo (it will eventually land on her hip). Her management has been "advising" her where they think her tattoos should go; they don't want them to ruin her look. She does have an endorsement deal with CoverGirl, and it wouldn't be so strange for a makeup company to be less than thrilled about one of their celebrity spokeswomen sporting a big ole visibly placed tattoo. When asked if that's one of the downfalls of being famous, having people tell you what to do, Rihanna's response is direct. "A lot of people don't get to tell me. They always say I know you're going to do what you want to do, but I'm telling you what my concerns are." Although she listens to her team, she's obviously not going to let them control her life.
Most artists talk about independence and guiding their own career all while being surrounded by a gaggle of handlers, but Rihanna appears to be the real deal. There's no evidence of a Svengali manager acting as puppet master, no publicist hovering around nervously as we conduct our interview, making sure she doesn't say something that could jeopardize her recent endorsements. She doesn't even have a bodyguard. "Sometimes it feels like I've taken on a lot, especially [with] this album because I was so involved creatively," she reflects. "I have so much to think about, I can't leave anything to anybody anymore--I'm in charge of it all."
Assitant to Photographer: Stephanie McNiel * Styling by Masha Orlov * Hair by Ursala at Epiphany Agency * Make-up by Mylah Morales/B. Lynn Group * Interns: Jessica Sussman, Pierce Jackson.
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