Rihanna is the next cover of 72
Photography Szilveszter Makó
Hair Yusef Williams
Makeup Ammy Drammeh
Nails Jenny Longworth
For more than fifteen years, Rihanna and I have challenged each other to push creative boundaries. As we unveil La Reine, our sixth cover together, I reflect on the first time we met, the trust that has shaped our collaboration, and why she remains one of the most influential cultural figures of our time.
BY EDWARD ENINFUL
Rihanna wears coat Givenchy, corset Savage x Fenty and shoes Giuseppe Zanott
Rihanna wears coat Givenchy and corset Savage x Fenty
I can clearly remember the first time I saw Rihanna in person.
It was 2011, and like everyone else I was fascinated by this young woman who was setting the world on fire. I loved Umbrella, and I had been following her career from afar, but somehow our paths had never crossed.
Then one day I was sitting at the Lanvin show during Paris Fashion Week, and I looked across the runway and I saw this beautiful woman sitting opposite me. It took me a moment to realise who it was. “Oh, it’s Rihanna!” She gestured me over. I gestured her to come to me. I think we met in the middle somewhere. We said hellos and ‘We should do something together’.
What struck me first was her presence. She possessed a confidence that was mesmerising and entirely her own. She wasn’t performing celebrity, or chasing attention. She simply occupied space differently. That moment marked the beginning of a creative relationship that has now spanned more than fifteen years. Together we’ve created six covers across three magazines (W, Vogue and now 72).
72, Summer 2026, available here. Photography Szilveszter Makó. Rihanna wears dress Dior Haute Couture and earrings Fernando Jorge.
After so many years of working together, Rihanna and I have a trust that allows us to challenge each other. Every single time we collaborate, we push ourselves to question what a fashion story can be, what an image can communicate, and how we can create something that hasn’t been seen before. We always want to create something new.
Our conversations rarely begin with a brief. They begin with references. Images. Paintings. Photography. Music. History. I’ll send Rihanna a picture. She’ll send one back. While we’re talking, she’s researching just as intensely as I am. And more often than not, we’ll arrive at the same conclusion at exactly the same moment.
While brainstorming her first cover of 72, I kept returning to a simple thought: Rihanna is the Queen. So we began researching Black Queens throughout history. Portraits of power, beauty, dignity and authority. That became the foundation for La Reine. From there, we started discussing photographers. What I love about working with Rihanna is how instinctive she is.
There are very few photographers working today with such a singular vision as Szilveszter Makó. In an age dominated by speed and digital perfection, his process is almost artisanal. He paints his own backdrops. He draws directly onto images. He creates worlds rather than simply documenting them.
Rihanna wears dress Alexander McQueen, bodysuit Madomorpho and bangles Dinosaur Designs
Watching Rihanna and Szilveszter collaborate for the first time was something I won’t forget. The result is a series of portraits that feel regal, powerful and deeply contemporary. Images rooted in history while speaking entirely to the present. You’ll see Rihanna enjoying Szilveszter’s unique direction in our ‘behind the cover’ video. You’ll also see in our ‘72 Seconds on set with Rihanna’ video, just how much fun we had creating the images.
I’ve been lucky enough to witness so many chapters of Rihanna’s life and career. From those early days to where she is now, what has always amazed me is her instinct. She sees things before everyone else does. She trusts herself. She takes risks. And no matter how much the world changes around her, she remains completely authentic to who she is.
Rihanna has occupied a very special place in my life for many years. I’ve often described her as royalty, but she’s also my baby sister. I even named my Boston Terrier, Riri, after her. My Riri (my boston) is also a bad gal. But what I value most about our relationship is that, after all this time, we’re still able to surprise each other creatively. We’re both endlessly curious. We’re both always looking forward. Neither of us is interested in repeating what we’ve done before. We’re always asking ourselves: what’s next?
We’re both Pisces, after all.
I couldn’t be prouder to share La Reine with you.
Love Edward x
Rihanna wears jacket Schiaparelli Haute Couture and bodysuit Wolford
Rihanna wears cape and coat Chanel Haute Couture, shoes Giuseppe Zanotti and rings Schiaparelli
Rihanna wears coat Givenchy, corset Savage x Fenty and Shoes Giuseppe Zanotti
Rihanna wears bodysuit Wolford and skirt Bottega Veneta
Rihanna wears dress Valentino Haute Couture
Rihanna wears bodysuit Wolford, skirt Bottega Veneta, belt Alaia and shoes Giuseppe Zanotti
Styling and Creative Direction Edward Enninful
Photographer Szilveszter Makó
Hair Yusef William using Fenty Hair and The Y by Yusef
Makeup Ammy Drammeh using Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin
Nails Jenny Longworth
Style Director Dena Giannini
Fashion Editor Rebecca Purshouse
Set Design Felix Gesnouin
Tailor Brianna Toomer
First Photo Assistant and Digital Technician Gianluca Malavolta
Photo Assistants Kévin Ramos, Luke Simmonds and Felix Borrelli
Styling Assistants Breno Vasquez and Isabela Orozco
Hair Assistant Christopher Ahmad Salmon
Makeup Assistants Quelle Bester and Toma Marandeau
Set Design Assistants Elfried Gratas, Faustine Morisset and Luc Sciberras
Production Counsel
Photography Management Siyan Chen
Special Thanks Jennifer Rosales, The Lede Company and Carolyn Girondo
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