Rihanna is the latest ambassador of Dior. This is the fourth installment of the “Secret Garden” campaign series, which launched in 2012 and was shot by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. Rihanna was styled by Mel Ottenberg, with whom she routinely works, wearing looks from the Esprit Dior collection shown in Tokyo in December 2014. The nighttime shoot follows her through the Salons of the Gods and dancing in the Hall of Mirrors, with a new song Goodnight Gotham from her upcoming album as the main soundtrack.
The short ‘Secret Garden IV’ film featuring Rihanna dropped in May 2015 and was praised by fashion critics. Many consider it one of the best Dior campaigns ever. The photos from the campaign were released about a week before the premiere of the film.
Asked what drew Dior to Rihanna and how the edgy pop star fits in with its current roster of faces, Dior chief executive officer Sidney Toledano said,
“Rihanna knew how to work with Versailles. She has this kind of elegance — we saw it from the very first moment — and then she can surprise. She can be unexpected and we like it. It’s part of this personality.”
Toledano also spoke of Rihanna’s youth appeal.
“[She is] a goddess but accessible. The way she moves is part of the young generation.”