Certainly not what her teeming fans expect, but the Navy
fandom will just have to make do with the latest release from the musician
turned business mogul.
Rihanna, on Friday locked down New York City’s revered art
institution Guggenheim Museum for the launch of her visual book “The Rihanna
Book” which features over a thousand photos that takes viewers on a journey
throughout her life.
The pop singer, entrepreneur and designer revealed never
before seen photos right back to her days growing up in Barbados. The book
aptly marketed as a “visual autobiography” is image-heavy than a memoir.
Through the photos one can follow the evolution of the singer
from her upbringing in her home country to several of her performances and
shows over the years, including her many now famously known red carpet looks.
On Instagram, BadgalRiri shared that the 504-page, 15-pound
book took over 5 years to complete. She
also revealed that the book comes in three other unique limited editions – the
Fenty x Phaidon edition which includes a copy of the book and a tabletop
bookstand inspired by Rihanna’s hands.
The Luxury Supreme edition which on November 20 Rihanna will
number and sign comes packed with a “Drippy + The Brain” 18-carat gold-plated
bookstand delicately ornamented with a custom black vermiculated fabric –
altogether, the book and bookstand will weigh 126 pounds).
And the third now sold-out edition, Ultra Luxury Supreme
edition cheekily titled “Stoner,” which includes high-end, extravagantly
designed Portugal marble pedestal. Cardi B, had bided and won the grand luxury,
top-tier book for $111,000 at Rihanna’s fifth annual Diamond Ball back in
September, a move which Rihanna called a “baller” move.
While welcoming invited guests which included many Navy fans,
publishing executives from Phaidon, her record label Roc Nation, colleagues
from her cosmetics and fashion brand Fenty and several business associates to
the book launch, the Super-star, celebrity designer also took out time to
appreciate her team and everyone that contributed to making the project a
reality.
She thanked Haas Brothers – who were the brain behind the
lavish, artsy bookstand designs, by saying “they decided to do something this
huge and dream this up with me.”
Her tour photographer, Dennis Leupold, who had worked with a
number of stars including Idris Elba, Taraji P. Henson and the cast of Black Panther, was also acknowledged, calling him
“a legend in his own right.”
She also acknowledged her best friend, Melissa Forde, saying
“my bestie Melissa.” Which elicited a thunderous applause from the audience for
her long-time friend. “Thank you for these intimate images of life. I didn’t
even know the camera was here,” she said.
Even though, Rihanna’s superfans, the Navy may have felt a
bit disappointed in having to wait longer for their idol to drop her next
studio album, they can at least, rest in the consolation that Rihanna have been
serving them hot public money moves lately.
Remember that Rihanna in collaboration with Amazon
streamlined an industry-disrupting fashion show on Primetime late September.
