Rihanna’s latest Savage x Fenty stars are breast cancer survivors

Rihanna’s lingerie label is fast becoming one of the most inclusive names in fashion, as she continues to make space for the kind of bodies we’ve rarely seen on the runway before. It makes sense, then, that the star is celebrating three breast cancer survivors as part of her latest Savage x Fenty campaign, which dropped on the brand’s IG last night. 

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Riri has passed the mic to ‘survivors and thrivers’ Cayatanita, Ericka, and Nykia, who were all diagnosed with aggressive forms of cancer and faced disparate healthcare owing to their age and race. In encouraging them to tell their stories, Rihanna hopes to spread awareness of the barriers Black women face when it comes to gaining access to adequate healthcare and support. 

Diagnosed with breast cancer at 32 in 2018, Cayatanita began blogging about her experiences in a bid to create a community and ensure others like her did not feel alone. Having appeared in the Savage x Fenty extravaganza alongside the likes of Bella Hadid and Lizzo last month, she posted a photo of herself wearing a pale pink set to her IG, alongside a caption reading “I could have never imagined in my wildest dreams me a cardiovascular and breast cancer thriver still here and a part of something beautiful.” 

Ericka, who was diagnosed with two types of cancer at 28, wrote about her changing relationship with her body. “It’s important for you to appreciate the body you’re in for getting you where you are right now. And that was really moving to me, because it wasn’t all about beauty, it wasn’t about ‘Oh I love myself’. It was: ‘I appreciate the vessel that has carried me’ I really give all kudos to Black femmes and Black queer people for holding me down.” 

With the campaign’s collection set to be sold throughout October and into November, a portion of proceeds up to $250,000 will be donated to Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation. Check it out in the gallery above and learn more on how to check your own breasts for lumps here.