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When Rihanna innocuous stepped out in Manhattan wearing Conner Ives’ 1930s-inspired reconstructed graphic dress and, most importantly, a granny smith apple green Bottega Veneta vintage Montaigne bag deceptively covering the message written on the shirt, it was heralded as a moment of visibility for quiet quitters everywhere.
The shirt was emblazoned with the phrase “I’m retired”, seemingly hinting at Rihanna’s current working status and piquing the interest of those desperately hoping for the multi-hyphenated artist’s highly-anticipated ninth studio album. But don’t get it twisted, says Rihanna at an event promoting the newly unveiled Fenty Hair. Yes, Rihanna issued a statement with her t-shirt dress, but according to her, people just didn’t get the full message.
“People got triggered with that ‘retired’ word,” the mother-of-two told Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet for her latest beauty launch. “No one read the other line,” she added, acknowledging the second row of text that read, “This is as dressed up as I’m going to get”.
Of course, when deciphered in tandem and in context, the look can be inferred as a tongue-in-cheek comment on her impeccable (and highly imitated) street style. Wearing a slip-on-and-go dress that reads, “I’m retired, this is as dressed up as I’m going to get,” is the type of off-duty moment we demand from a star of her stature. But when she devilishly covered the latter half of the phrase, can you blame us for spiralling?
“They were like, ‘We’re never getting an album now’,” the 36-year-old added, acknowledging the sentiment posited on social media. As the mother she is, Rihanna used the moment as an opportunity to clarify that she is not going anywhere. “Clearly, I’m here, clocked in,” she laughed.
@entertainmenttonight Rihanna is NOT Rih-tired! 🚨 RiRi rih-veals that she is ready to rih-turn to the studio and START OVER the rih-cording process of her highly-anticipated album, R9.#rihanna #fenty
♬ original sound – Entertainment Tonight – Entertainment Tonight
Rihanna also finally acknowledged the status of the untitled ‘R9’ album, confirming that she is ready to get back into the vocal booth. “I’ve been working on the album for so long that I kinda put all that stuff aside,” she revealed before adding, “Now I’m prepared to go back in the studio.”
“I’m going to start,” the singer emphasised as a warning to her fans. Given her musical hiatus, it could mean we’re blessed with the record in 2054. But when it comes to Rihanna, who isn’t willing to wait?
If you, however, are looking for a creative way to hand in your letter of resignation, shop Ives’ dress from his Spring/Summer 2024 collection below:
