Operation Misery: Month 15, Week 4, Day 3.

As I mentioned in my previous post the US has decided to use the occasion of the United Nation's Framework Convention on Climate Change's (UNFCCC) June meeting in Bonn, Germany to once again push Rihanna to the fore. Last night (2/6/14) she was presented with the Council of Fashion Designers of America's (CFDA) "Icon" award in New York City, US.

Obviously being a fashion industry award a of lot focus was on what Rihanna wore to the ceremony. Although it paid clear reference to 1920's (prohibition-era) glamour this Adam Selman original was essentially just 230,000 Swarovski Crystals (not diamonds) threaded together. As a result Rihanna appeared almost completely nude with her breasts, nipples and buttocks all clearly visible and only a brief thong preserving what was left of Rihanna's modesty. This outfit of course followed perfectly the narrative of the "Free the Nipple" campaign that the US has been trying to build through Rihanna and Miley Cyrus' Instagram which was mocked extensively at both the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest. It was also accompanied by a public statement on Instagram's censorship/prohibition policy by Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom.

So far from being risque, rule breaking or rebellious Rihanna's outfit was very much a safe choice with which she followed her CIA handlers instructions to the letter. As such the speech given by Vogue Magazine editor Anna Wintour as she presented Rihanna with the award was particularly biting. In it she spoke about how Rihanna used her fashion 'choices' to tell stories and communicate a message to her fans before describing Rihanna as being like a little boy and reminding Rihanna that the purpose of fashion is "pushing buttons while remaining true to yourself." Wintour's reference to what Rihanna was wearing that evening seemed very much intended and received as a cue for laughter amongst the audience. Finally Wintour highlighted her closeness to Rihanna by describing her as a Text message friend rather then say a Twitter or Facebook friend.

This is perhaps no less then you would expect from a woman who is affectionately known as "Nuclear Wintour/Winter" and in fact seemed a large act of charity. That is because by acknowledging that the CFDA's description of Rihanna as a fashion icon lacks credibility Wintour may well have helped defuse the storm of criticism that is expected to greet Rihanna when she arrives in Paris, France on Wednesday (4/6/14) which is considered one of the fashion capitals of the World.

However it has emerged that Rihanna's handlers are not satisfied in merely sending Rihanna to France for the launch of her Rogue perfume. Apparently on Thursday (5/6/14) Rihanna will also hold a press conference at the Hard Rock Cafe in Paris. The primary purpose of this is create a big secret which we are all supposed to speculate on while really emphasising that Olympic theme of European high culture versus American low culture. After all the superiority of French slow food over the type of American fast food sold at the Hard Rock Cafe has long been a source of pride for the French.

As for what the big secret is it could be anything from the very small such as a Willy Wonka style competition which would give Rihanna fans the chance to meet her if they buy the Rogue perfume through to something larger like the release of this long rumoured concept album in support of the upcoming film "Home" or a "Monster/777" style mini-tour.

However if I were Rihanna's CIA handlers tactically what I would do is use it to announce the sudden Beyonce-style release of an Internet album. The way that album would be quickly purchased by Rihanna's core fans would help create a baseline of Rihanna's core support that could be contrasted with the conventional release of an album later in the year helping to give an indication of how far Rihanna's popularity has dipped since 2012.


12:45 on 3/6/14 (UK date).