NEW YORK, NY – MAY 01: Singer Rihanna attends “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)

That nascent Fenty Beauty thing really did take off. So too did her lingerie line. And as everything she touches turns to gold – or to millions of dollars – Rihanna is now launching a high-end fashion label with the world’s biggest luxury group, LVMH, it has been announced. The move will see the singer expand her business empire while the French owner of Louis Vuitton will have a clear-cut avenue to the Instagram generation.

Historically speaking, this business hand shake is a very big deal: Rihanna will become the first ever black female to head up a fashion house at the company – who also owns Givenchy, Dior and Celine.

The new fashion line (which will be named Fenty and reportedly include ready-to-wear clothes, shoes and accessories) will be based in Paris and debut in a matter of weeks. “Everybody knows Rihanna as a wonderful singer, but through our partnership at Fenty Beauty, I discovered a true entrepreneur, a real CEO and a terrific leader,” said Bernard Arnault, the billionaire chairman and chief executive of LVMH who last month pledged $200 million euros (AUD $341 million) to rebuild the Notre Dame Cathedral. “To support Rihanna to start up the Fenty Maison, we have built a talented and multicultural team supported by the group resources,” he said.

“Designing a line like this with LVMH is an incredibly special moment for us,” said Rihanna. “Mr Arnault has given me a unique opportunity to develop a fashion house in the luxury sector, with no artistic limits. I couldn’t imagine a better partner both creatively and business-wise, and I’m ready for the world to see what we have built together.”