Future superstar: Years before becoming a singing sensation and fashion designer, Rihanna was just a 14-year-old girl showcasing her flair for creativity in her home country of Barbados

Even at a young age, Muhammad said Rihanna was ‘destined’ to be ‘number one’.

Muhammad said that Rihanna and her friends would visit his studio in Roberts Road, Haggatt Hall, St Michael to help him create costumes for Crop Over.

‘To be honest I would not say I played a major role in her career but I am still proud of her, I think her designs are out of this world and I am simply happy I got to see glimpses of that potential all those years ago,’ Anwar recalled.

He shared photos of Rihanna working on the designs with her friends from a scrapbook that he kept throughout the years.

Young designer: Muhammad said that Rihanna and her friends would visit his studio in Roberts Road, Haggatt Hall, St Michael to help him create costumes for the street festival Crop Over

Anwar met Rihanna 19 years ago while taking photos for her school’s sports day at her alma mater, The Combermere School.

‘Back then I was a photographer taking pictures of Combermere’s sports day. I looked back in the stands and saw this one girl and asked if I could take her picture.

‘There was just something about her, she stood out in the crowd. Even then she was destined to number one,’ he recalled.

Back then: Anwar also told the story of how he first met Rihanna 19 years ago at her alma mater The Combermere School

Memories: He shared photos of Rihanna working on the designs with her friends from a scrapbook that he kept throughout the years

Helping out: Anwar explained that he was making costumes for a tribute to the popular Soca band Krosfyah. He asked the group if they wanted to assist him, a request to which they readily agreed

Anwar explained that he was making costumes for a tribute to the popular Soca band Krosfyah. He asked the group if they wanted to assist him, a request to which they readily agreed.

Muhammed said that the children came over to his studio almost every day but Rihanna’s focus and dedication to the project set her apart.

‘Her mother used to drop her off on mornings. She wasn’t Rihanna then, just Robyn,’ he reminisced ‘That year we were paying special tribute to the music band Krosfyah so we designed costumes as such.’

He continued, ‘She was always focused, more so than her friends who would play around, I really enjoyed working with her.’ 

Standout: Muhammed said that the children came over to his studio almost every day but Rihanna’s focus and dedication to the project set her apart

Before fame: Anwar said ‘Her mother used to drop her off on mornings. She wasn’t Rihanna then, just Robyn’

Reminiscing: One of the memories Anwar also shared was of Rihanna’s love for the cherries he plucked for her from his fruit tree

One of the memories Anwar also shared was of Rihanna’s love for the cherries he plucked for her from his fruit tree.

The Barbadian cherries, known as Bajan cherries, would later become a major ingredient in her Fenty skincare line.

According to The Zoe Report, Rihanna shared childhood memories of stealing the cherries from her neighbor’s trees during a digital launch event for Fenty Skin in July 2020.

‘The Bajan cherry is something I grew up stealing from neighbors’ trees and climbing trees,’ she said.

‘My mom’s cousin had a cherry tree in her backyard. We used to have to run past the dogs to get to them. I thought I was just eating a good little cherry.’

Inspiration: The Barbadian cherries, known as Bajan cherries, would later become a major ingredient in her Fenty skincare line. Seen in 2018

Rihanna went on to describe how she later discovered the health benefits of the fruit.

She continued, ‘Then when I started to find out the benefits, I’d go home. When I had a cold, the first thing you do when you have a cold is drink a Bajan cherry juice because it has so much vitamin C in it, even more than an orange.

‘You get better in less than 24 hours, it feels like! I wanted to implement that into skincare, since I know vitamin C is a key part of good skin.’

Born in St. Michael and raised in the capital city of Bridgetown, the songstress lived Barbados until she was 16, when she was discovered by American record producer Evan Rogers.

Rogers invited her to travel to the United States to record demo tapes which were sent to Def Jam Recordings CEO Jay-Z. Upon hearing her demos, Jay-Z invited Rihanna to audition for the record label.

Discovering a star: The songstress lived Barbados until she was 16, when she was discovered by American record producer Evan Rogers. Pictured in 2013

Jay-Z was so impressed with her audition that he offered the teenager a six-figure record deal on the spot, which she accepted.

Though Rihanna skyrocketed to global fame after the release of her debut album Music of the Sun, she has always stayed close to her Barbadian roots.

The superstar, who recently became a billionaire, often references her home country in her songs and music videos.

In September 2018, the government of Barbados appointed her as an ambassador for the Caribbean island country.

After being named ‘Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary,’ Rihanna issued a statement in which she said: ‘I couldn’t be more proud to take on such a prestigious title in my home country.

‘Every Barbadian is going to have to play their role in this current effort, and I’m ready and excited to take on the responsibility.’

Prestigious role: In September 2018, the government of Barbados appointed her as an ambassador for the Caribbean island country. Seen in 2017