When Rihanna announced her sunglass collaboration with Dior accompanied by some amazing product shots featuring the ANTI singer, the fashion world salivated at the mouth for the futuristic-looking shades. Priced at $840, they're now available for purchase at Dior stores and online in pink, green, red, silver, blue and a very special 24K gold pair priced at $1,950.
Renowned photographer and music video director Jean-Baptiste Mondino is the man responsible for the sleek press photos of the fashion paragon rocking the shades.
In a behind-the-scene look, Rihanna invites us on set to see how the vision all came together, exclusively with VOGUE.
"This shoot was done under unique circumstances," the "This Is What You Came For" singer says. "Came straight from a show, spent a lot of time getting my weave taken out, but once we got to set no time was wasted. He knows exactly what he wants, and does not hold back his personality, which was delightful."
While playing some throwback R&B joints, Jean took plenty of great shots of Rihanna in the shades she designed herself with the help of the Dior team.
Dior says Rihanna has been one of the most hands-on creative directors they've ever had the pleasure of working with. The process of designing them was pretty effortless.
"I spent a day at Dior with their eyewear design team," she says. "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 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."
Each pair has "Rihanna" engraved on the side and comes with a case with her name embedded on it as well.
As for what prompted her to create such cool looking sunglasses that look like they come straight out of the year 3000, she says her inspiration was drawn from Geordi La Forge, a blind Star Trek character who wore a device called a VISOR to see.
"I’ve always been obsessed with his eyewear, and when I got to Dior and saw all the materials I could play with, it all just came together," she says.
Ironically, the Bajan songstress is also featured on the Star Trek Beyond soundtrack on the track "Sledgehammer", which made its debut in June.
