IT doesn’t get much bigger for a rising design star to see one of his creations on an internationally feted musician at MTV’s annual Video Music Awards - which is the happy position Peter Pilotto finds himself in as he prepares to show his spring/summer 2009 collection under the New Generation tag for the first time at London Fashion Week.

“We were very excited to see Rihanna wearing our pieces,” the eponymous Belgian designer, who runs his label with creative partner Christopher De Vos, tells us of the black and yellow strapless number the Umbrella singer wore to this year’s red carpet event. “We are open for any surprises! It makes us so happy that so many girls love them.”

Known for its stand-out prints and painstaking construction, Peter Pilotto is one to fall in lust with immediately. Having been inspired by scientific drawings and soft shapes for autumn/winter 2008-9 (a collection snapped up by Matches), things continue along a existential vein for the new season with an offering inspired, we’re told, by the work of artist David Altmejd.

“It’s a modern grotesque: distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal art characterized by an incongruous mixture of parts of minerals and animals interwoven with plants,” says Pilotto. “The colour contrast is between the subdued moth and the vibrant butterfly.”

Intrigued? Peter Pilotto is showing back-to-back with MeadhamKirchhoff at 9.30am tomorrow, September 18 - click back onto VOGUE.COM after the show to see all the photos, straight off the catwalk.

Source: Vogue

Visit NYmag.com to see more from Monique Lhuillier’s Fall 2008 collection.

• Round tortoiseshell acetate frames
• Graduated tinted lenses
• Tiny LV logo engraving in upper corner of right lens
• Circular polished metal rotating hinge at each temple
• Hinge features LV logo on one side, monogram flower on the other side; each is engraved and lacquered
• Inset LV logo at arm tips
• 100% UV protection
• Handmade in France

As seen on Rihanna in the summer of 2008. Retail price $675 - Buy them at eLuxury.

Retail price $725 Buy it on eBay

Ass seen on Rihanna while shopping with Chris Brown and a new puppy in Manhattan on August 4, 2008. Buy it at InterMix.

Meet Ursula Stephen: The Shear Genius Behind Rihanna’s Fabulosity

Ursula Stephen is not only a celebrity hairstylist but a new image make-over expert and the shear genius that gave Rihanna the hairdo that caused her career to sky rocket.

What was Rihanna’s initial reaction to the brilliant cut and your inspiration behind the ‘do?

At first she was in shock…

More about the color than the cut, because she had never worn her hair so dark. Then her attitude changed, she grew to love it and then she basically came into her own and I’m happy that I helped to bring that out!

As for inspiration, the Bob cut is fun and the Bob itself is one of my favorite haircuts; it is the best of both worlds- it can be edgy and classy at the same time. Fashion always inspires me and (I felt) it was time for a change. I was tired of all these artist looking the same, and I wasn’t about to fall into that routine.

As an expert that gives specializes in giving celebrities a completely different look, what process do you go through to get them to agree and feel comfy with the change?

Well I think (my personal style) helps that because I change my look pretty often, they see the possibilities. I (also) take time to talk them through different looks-giving them the pros and cons. Instead of just telling them what to do, I listen to them and we collaborate. Because they have to be comfy or it will not work.
Keyshia Cole has often been compared to a young Mary J. Blige for both her sound and personal style. Has the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul ever inspired some of your looks for Cole? Do you ever purposefully direct Keyshia’s ‘dos away from MJB signature looks?

there is no inspiration from Mary. I think the two are compared to each other more for their passionate performance style, but not necessarily their look. What I would say is that they both change their look pretty often. As far as keeping their looks different- yes, that’s my job to keep my artist distinctive. Though sometimes it’s hard in a world where we all like the same things.

To all of our Hair Apparent readers, what are some tricks they can try in order to see what a particular cut will look like on them before they take the plunge?

A great way to do that is by trying on wigs or be like Nike and “just do it” after all its only hair and it will grow back; or start at a manageable length and work your way down. It’s easier that way - this way you don’t get stuck.

Breakdown for us your look right now.

Right now my look is very T-boz inspired minus the big side burns; it’s one length all around, like an old school bowl cut with heavy blunt bangs which are going to be a big hair trend straight through fall, whether or not you are wearing your hair short or long.

Until next time…keep it shiny!

Courtesy of http://www.blackvoices.com/

More photos of this style are here at Ultimate Rihanna.com. Buy the YSL sandals from Saks.