Rihanna reportedly has a new lingerie line - and it's going to be sold by the controversial athleisure maker backed by Kate Hudson
- Rihanna is planning to launch a lingerie line with TechStyle, Fabletics' parent company.
- A source told WWD that TechStyle hopes the Rihanna deal could put the company in a good position for an IPO.
- TechStyle's current best-known brand is Fabletics, an athleisure line backed by Kate Hudson that was hit was a scandal in 2015 after some customers called its membership model a scam.
Rihanna has reportedly signed a deal to launch a lingerie line that could been a major win for Fabletics' parent company.
The singer has struck a deal with TechStyle Fashion Group, WWD reported on Tuesday. According to a source, TechStyle has been working on the project for more than a year and sample lingerie products have already been produced.
TechStyle, formerly called JustFab Inc., is the parent company of membership-based brands including Kate Hudson-backed athleisure brand Fabletics, FabKids, JustFab, and ShoeDazzle. The company did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment on the reported deal.
Rihanna's involvement could be a crucial boost for TechStyle as it considers an IPO, a source told WWD.
The singer is on a roll in the retail industry right now. Last year, Rihanna launched an instantly-successful makeup line called Fenty Beauty. The brand was a buzzy, viral hit - something that TechStyle could use right now.
TechStyle's best-known brand currently is Fabletics, which was cofounded by actress Kate Hudson, who also serves as a spokesperson for the brand.
In 2015, Fabletics was engulfed in scandal after being slammed for its membership-based business model. Customers claimed they were tricked into signing up for memberships that were difficult to cancel, in addition to being charged with surprising fees.
The company attempted to reverse the narrative, doubling down on customer service and revising its cancellation processes. It also changed its name to TechStyle in 2016.