Rihanna Boosts Sales for Taranaki’s Huski Drinkware Brand

A brand of drinkware originating from Taranaki, New Zealand, is experiencing a significant surge in sales following the appearance of international pop star Rihanna using one of their champagne flutes. The singer, who has over 150 million followers on Instagram, was photographed with a pink Huski champagne flute at a music festival in Los Angeles in November 2023. In a widely circulated video, Rihanna can be seen enjoying a drink while watching her partner, A$AP Rocky, perform, sparking a flurry of online attention.

The video ignited a wave of interest on social media platforms, with fans keenly analyzing clips from TikTok, Reddit, and X to identify the insulated drinkware. This collective effort led to a dramatic increase in online searches and sales for the product. The distinctive champagne flute was recognized through crowd-sourced comparisons with various online listings and customer reviews on platforms like Amazon.

Huski’s chief executive, Simon Huesser, noted that sales in the US for November skyrocketed by more than 4000% year-on-year, with the Powder Pink variant emerging as a fashionable choice among younger consumers. Huesser explained, “Most major festivals ban glass for safety reasons. When a cultural style leader is photographed using an insulated champagne flute in that environment, it highlights a natural category for us to move into. There is real potential for a festival-focused range.”

The unexpected exposure from Rihanna could significantly accelerate Huski’s expansion into new markets and product categories. This surge follows a year of impressive international growth for the company, which Huesser co-founded with his wife, Meika Huesser, in 2017. The company’s journey began in a shed on Huesser’s parents’ farm in Taranaki, where they created prototypes for their initial products with the assistance of his father, a retired fitter and turner.

Since its inception, Huski has evolved into a global brand, exporting over 1.5 million items to more than 50 countries. In recognition of its success, the company received the New Zealand International Business Awards for Excellence in Growing Online Sales in November 2023, and it ranked 22nd on the Deloitte Fast 50 Index.

As the brand continues to gain traction, the combination of celebrity endorsement and a growing market presence positions Huski for a promising future. The company’s innovative approach to drinkware not only addresses practical needs at festivals but also resonates with a style-conscious audience.