In Lieu Of Fenty Bags, Rihanna Is Carrying Every It-Accessory Of The Season

Rihanna’s Instagram grid is starting to look like a fashion editor’s handbag wish list. Bottega Veneta’s “The Pouch” – the cloud-like clutch conceived by Daniel Lee in one of his first power moves at the house – appeared on @badgalriri when the rest of the industry was scrambling to get on a waiting list. The voluminous butter calf leather accessory, priced at £1,730 for the largest size (of course the popstar owns the large), was swiftly followed by the “Cassette” bag.

The cross-body style with double-face weave, £1,320, has been slung across her Fenty-clad torso, while model friends Duckie Thot and Imaan Hammam have egged her on in the comment section.

Completing the triumvirate of Bottegas is the “Lauren”, which was originally designed for Lauren Hutton to carry in the 1980 film American Gigolo and re-issued for Bottega Veneta’s 50th anniversary at varying price points.

Next up, Balenciaga’s Wheel Beltpack, £550, which Rihanna wore in lieu of her own Fenty bumbags – the only bags released by her fashion brand so far, which come attached to the waist of suit jackets.

Eagle-eyed Instagram scrollers will have noted that both Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga are owned by Kering, the rival conglomerate to LVMH, which backs Fenty. The entrepreneur quickly followed up the competitor posts with a Louis Vuitton multi-pochette worn across a camo-print Miu Miu cardigan. The caveat? On her feet were Bottega Veneta’s padded sandals – the first instance she has not worn Fenty corset boots or point-toe pumps in days (aeons when it’s the international fashion weeks).

The musician-turned-mogul has been absent from the shows – save for her own Savage X Fenty lingerie presentation, which will be premiered on Amazon Prime on 20 September – so, who can blame her for serving up serious street-style looks from afar? Rihanna’s pick of cult high-fashion accessories once again stamps her status as an OG influencer, but, next week, she might flip to an emerging designer sourced by her discerning stylist, Jahleel Weaver. For now, she's enjoying a cushty time via Lee’s puffy matelassé quilting. All in a day’s werk.