IT SEEMS everybody wants to be a Fenty since international superstar and local songbird Rihanna shot to stardom in 2005. And more so now with the early September launch of her FENTY X PUMA shoe collection.
“My name is now an international brand, and everybody wants to be a Fenty,” said her father Ronald Fenty who recently sat down with the SUNDAY SUN in an exclusive interview to chat candidly about his daughter’s accomplishments.
Fenty, who is not a man of many words, was at a loss to describe how proud he feels of his third daughter’s successes over the years, which climaxed recently when she earned the Vanguard (for Lifetime Achievement) award at MTV’s Music Video Awards ceremony held at Madison Square Garden in New York. Rihanna wowed the capacity crowd with five different performances, showcasing her vocal range.
“I was always proud of all of my children, but to see that Robyn has become such an international superstar, I am happy for her because that is what she wants. I wasn’t expecting this level of success, but I am supporting her every step of the way as she climbs the ladder,” he said.
As for the recent launch of her shoe collection in collaboration with German shoe company PUMA, FENTY X by Rihanna, he said he was surprised, but quite pleased, that she chose his name for the collection.
“It all came as a surprise to me to see that she launched a shoe line with such a big international company and named it Fenty. Now I have become a brand name for people to wear,” he said jokingly.
Asked how he felt about the short video clip currently being circulated on social media, specifically Instagram,of Rihanna saying how proud she is of her dad and giving the shoe collection his name, he said he is “nothing short of proud”.
“It makes me happy and even more proud. I can’t not be proud. I hope that all the Fentys will buy the shoes. I already have my shoes lined up and waiting to wear them proudly,” he said, his voice catching in his throat.
After composing himself, he recalls that “shoes were always Robyn’s thing”.
“As a little girl Robyn would always wear her mother’s high heels. When she launched her first perfume Reb’l Fleur, it was in the shape of a shoe. She was always sketching shoes and clothes. Even now in her free time, she is always sketching something.
“I think fashion was always a part of her. She would always dress up as a child. It is no surprise to me that it came naturally to her, because I am also into fashion as well, so there is definitely part of me in her,” he said smiling with a distant look in his eyes.
Rihanna launched her full FENTY PUMA Fall/Winter 2016 collection in February this year. It is a mix of both trendy men and women looks, and is the first full collection since signing on as the renowned sport brand creative director in December 2014.
She is set to release her second collection on September 28 in Paris, France. (RA)
