Rihanna Won PETA’s Fashion Award For New Vegan Leather Collection
Claire Miles - July 7, 2020

Changes

By Greta Zwaan

I sought for joy in peace, and rest to ease my weary mind,
Stressed out by such a heavy load, rest I just had to find.
My endurance could hold no more, my limits had been met,
I needed time to stand aside, sweet time to just forget.

But where to find the road to peace, an obscure trait to me;
My hectic lifestyle can't comprehend a way to set time free.
I've always rushed from A to B with no side glace allowed,
I had my life so well controlled; in truth, I felt quite proud.

No one could tell me what to do, I was a self-made man;
My schedules were controlled by me, I had a thorough plan.
'Twas good when all things went my way and no one interfered;
I had no one to answer to, my way was always cleared.

But years of this brought me no joy, though fortunes I'd amassed;
It seemed that all the things I owned would oh, so soon be past.
I had no friends that knew my plight, I kept myself at bay,
They all had troubles of their own; besides, what could they say?

They envied me with all my wealth, they never saw my pain,
I had life altogether, what more was there to gain?
But loneliness is terrible and emptiness is sad,
There seems no purpose for each day, no reason to be glad.

So now I wait; why? I don't know, but life for me must change.
There must be more than fortunes, a way to rearrange.
There has to be a purpose, and someone surely knows,
Why life is complicated, and days so full of woes.

Perhaps you have the answer, perhaps you know the route,
Perhaps you've traveled here before; if so, please help me out.
If need be, I'll be patient, I'll even take advice;
I'll gladly make the changes, no matter what the price.

I don't need independence, I've had my round of that;
I long for understanding, to know just where I'm at.
Someday I hope to thank you because you saw my need,
Perhaps with greater meaning, with purpose, not with greed.

I don't know how I got here, what lies ahead of me,
I'm grateful there'll be changes, I'm grateful to be free.

Another reason to love Rihanna! The singer and fashion entrepreneur won PETA’s “Compassion in Fashion award” for her new vegan leather clothing line, Fenty. The Fenty line showcases “chic and cruelty-free vegan clothing that is both animal friendly and better for the planet.” According to Rihanna, the five-piece collection was inspired “by utility wear and uniforms,” where “the tough, protective connotations of leather and striking silhouettes of uniforms are combined with the soft, rippling faux leather to give a relaxed FENTY feel – this juxtaposition speaks to the FENTY DNA of contrasts, rebelliousness, and redefined luxury.” Rihanna launched a faux-leather, cruelty-free capsule collection featuring a slightly oversized shirt, a pair of high waisted trousers with combat pockets, a drawstring hoodie, and a corset dress and skirt. 

Getty Images/Entertainment/Dimitrios Kambouris

PETA took to Twitter to praise the collection: “She proves that #VeganFashion can make you shine bright like a diamond! Thank you, Rihanna for showing compassion with your leather-free Fenty collection.” PETA Director Elisa Allen said: “Rihanna should take a bow for this stunning animal-friendly collection. “With her new vegan collection, Rihanna shows how easy it is to create a killer look that no animal had to die for.” Rihanna herself said, “We can all just do one small thing and help out so that was also a lot of our inspiration.” What a queen!