Rihanna favors fashion that 'provokes'

Rihanna is always searching for fashion that “provokes” something inside her.

The 29-year-old star is both a successful singer and designer, with collaborations alongside brands such as Puma and Topshop under her belt. Known to turn heads with her bold outfit choices, Rihanna is never one to settle for something simple when it comes to style.

“I get bored really quickly,” she admitted to instyle.co.uk. “I have A.D.D. (Attention Deficit Disorder), even when it comes to fashion, so I always want to find something new, energetic, something that provokes something in me that’s exciting. There’s the greats, and they’ll never not be great, but you always want to find the next.”

The Umbrella hitmaker was talking from the 69th annual Parsons Benefit in New York earlier this week (22May17), where she also watched a fashion show from students at Parsons School of Design. Staying true to her quirky aesthetic, Rihanna worked an oversized camel-colored suit by Parsons graduate Matthew Adams Dolan, with red lipstick and nail polish making a statement against the neutral tone.

She was honored at the prestigious event for her work in performance, design, and fostering social good, and the singer made sure to share some inspirational words to the aspiring crowd when receiving her accolade.

“You should be celebrated for your creativity, for your fearlessness, for your persistence and determination. You should be celebrated for all of the work you put into building your future, for being different, for not being given enough credit,” Rihanna gushed. “My point is, we often tear our youth down when we should be building them up. At the end of the day, our future is in their hands.”

The feeling was mutual as students at the school returned the praise, with award-winning designer Olivia LeBlanc explaining Rihanna is always showing them “the power of philanthropy as well as fashion”.