Pop star Rihanna is designing an exclusive clothing collection for River Island, which will launch as part of the retailer’s spring 13 collection.

The young fashion retailer is keeping details of the Rude Boy singer’s collection under wraps for now, but it is expected to be influenced by her “street to chic” take on fashion.

River Island chief executive Ben Lewis described her as “a style icon”.

“As soon as we started to work together we knew this was a perfect fit,” he said. “Rihanna will be designing the collection and we will be sharing our fashion experience with her to develop a range her fans will love.”

Rihanna said she had wanted to design her own collection “for some time”.

“River Island is the perfect partner for me to collaborate with and working with a British, family run business also really appealed to me,” she added. “I find London really inspiring and River Island loves to have fun with clothes. I’m looking forward to working with them and creating something really special.”

Rihanna is also set to feature in a new series for Sky Living, in which she will hunt for the UK’s hottest new designer.