Who is Jahleel Weaver, Rihanna’s ex-Fenty deputy creative director – and Dua Lipa’s new stylist? He worked with the ‘Umbrella’ singer for 13 years and styled the star’s maternity and Super Bowl looks
When Rihanna became the first woman of colour to have her own house under LVMH, Weaver cried; after Rihanna became a mother, he started his own creative studio and now styles Dua Lipa
While Rihanna was the creative director, it was Jahleel Weaver who helped execute her vision as deputy creative director until the fashion house closed in 2021. For Weaver, it all began with a job at the high-end retailer Jeffrey. Here’s what else we know about him.
What is Jahleel Weaver’s background?
At 18, Weaver had just moved from suburban Maryland to the heart of New York City to pursue his dreams of fashion design, per New York Times.
To cover the tuition at LIM College, a private institution in Manhattan specialising in the business of fashion, he took on a sales job at Jeffrey, a now-closed high end boutique offering apparel, shoes and accessories.
At Jeffrey, Weaver met famous clients who would eventually appear in his styling portfolio, allowing him to establish himself as a freelance stylist.
It was during one freelance gig that Weaver met Mel Ottenberg, Interview magazine’s current editor-in-chief and Rihanna’s stylist at the time. Ottenberg was beginning to put together looks for the singer’s 2011 Loud tour and brought Weaver on to assist. Weaver and Rihanna travelled together, with him styling her.
He was Rihanna’s right-hand man
