Northern Ireland shines bright at NFL Super Bowl

Rhianna’s Super Bowl outfit designer named as Northern Ireland native Jonathan Anderson.

One of Ireland’s most famous fashion designers Jonathan Anderson, who was born in Magherafelt, designed global superstar Rihanna's outfit for her Super Bowl LVII halftime show on 12 February 2023. Jonathan Anderson is founder of brand JW Anderson and creative director of Spanish luxury fashion house Loewe.

Rihanna’s dramatic red jumpsuit and bustier were designed by Loewe as she performed live for the first time in seven years. Rihanna's star power drew a viewership of 28.5 million, Forbes reported. Speaking on the collaboration, Jonathan commented on the Loewe Instagram account:

Rihanna is a true icon, and working with her to bring these stage looks to life feels like a wild, wonderful dream.

Jonathan often speaks about the proud influence Ireland has had on his ability to sell a collection’s narrative through his storytelling, calling literature the country’s greatest export. In a 2017 interview with British Vogue, Jonathan returned to his childhood school and commented on how the experience of growing up in Magherafelt made him what he is today:

There’s definitely something about growing up in Ireland. The craft, the family, the harshness – that has stayed with me.

JW Anderson Influences

His collections are heavily influenced by Ireland’s great writers including Oscar Wilde who Anderson admires not just for his literary talent but also for his audacity to be different.

While Jonathan and his family celebrate his design being chosen and revealed at one of the world’s largest sporting events, it’s not the first time Rihanna has linked her work with Northern Ireland. The nine-time Grammy winner filmed the music video for her song ‘We Found Love’ with Calvin Harris in Co. Down and North Belfast. The music video boasts over 1 billion plays on YouTube alone.

Check out the music video for ‘We Found Love’ below: