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Beyoncé's Black Is King Is A Spectacle Of Sartorial Symbolism
Beyoncé's Black Is King Is A Spectacle Of Sartorial Symbolism
Posted inFeatured News

Beyoncé’s Black Is King Is A Spectacle Of Sartorial Symbolism

by Sonia SultanAugust 4, 2020September 12, 2021
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The ‘visual album,’ which follows the singer-songwriter’s 2019 recording with the release of Lion King uses the film’s central story as a celebration of Black identity showcasing the world’s most dazzling fashion designers

After weeks of tantalizing Insta teasers Beyoncé finally dropped Black Is King, the hotly anticipated film companion to her album The Lion King: The Gift.

No doubt, like us the rest of the Beyhive had it playing on repeat all weekend. The film is an ode to the black experience paying homage to the beauty of black ancestry, culture, traditions, and style. But this is not your average history lesson. Shot against a variety of international landscapes, featuring collaborations with the likes of Childish Gambino and Pharrell, family members including Jay-Z and Blue Ivy, and cameos by Lupita Nyong’o and Naomi Campbell, Beyoncé’s self-written, directed, and produced film is Afrofuturism at its finest.

As one would expect, this lesson in the African diaspora is a stunning sartorial symphony. Beyoncé and her longtime stylist Zerina Akers curated looks which showcase global talent from both emerging and established designers – Arab designers included. Looks range from the delicate femininity of billowy Erdem dresses to West African designer Loza Malèombho’s monochrome structured jacket. From the way the clothes drape over her ethereal curves to the intentionality of her long cornrows, Beyoncé succeeds in reminding us that culture-rooted creativity is her legacy.

Here is a glimpse of the spectacular style in Black is King.

Valentino

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For Black is King, the new visual album by @beyonce, @pppiccioli dressed the singer in a leopard needle lace jumpsuit from #ValentinoHauteCouture

A post shared by Valentino (@maisonvalentino) on Aug 2, 2020 at 9:46am PDT

Setting the stylistic bar in all the promo pictures, this custom Valentino Haute Couture leopard-print sequin jumpsuit, paired with Louboutin heels and A-Morir rhinestone shades was the sensory overload we didn’t know we needed.

Timothy White

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#Beyonce stunned in custom #TimothyWhite for #BlackIsKing. Feeling it?! Stylist: @zerinaakers #Beyoncé #JayZ #JayzandBeyonce #BeyonceandJayz #RumiandSir #RumiCarter #SirCarter #SirandRumiCarter #BlueIvyCarter #TinaKnowles #MsTinaLawson #MatthewKnowles #Music #Rap #Rapper #Rapping #Singer #Singer #MusicIndustry #Musician #Musical #BonnieandClyde #QueenBey #BeyHive #Sir #BlueIvy #BeyonceCarter #BlueIvyCarter #GloballyCouture

A post shared by Globally Couture (@globallycouture) on Jul 31, 2020 at 3:54am PDT

Throughout the filmher braids took centerstage – as featured in this iconic look. Draped in a custom Timothy White black tulle gown, Beyoncé’s structured braids piled high pay homage to both Egyptian queen Nefertiti and to the hairstyle worn by Mangbetu women.

Burberry

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#Beyoncé in custom #Burberry for her new visual album #BlackIsKing . Beyoncé wears a cow-print corset top with matching mini skirt, created by #RiccardoTisci . #InBurberry

A post shared by Burberry (@burberry) on Jul 31, 2020 at 2:38am PDT

Riccardo Tisci changes the narrative completely from the vintage Burberry check jumpsuit and thigh highs which Beyoncé rocked at a New Jersey concert in 2018. Tisci’s bold cow print from the Spring 2019 line resurfaces in the form of a corset top and a miniskirt ensemble. Sitting atop a horse to match, sparkly Louboutin’s dangling delicately from her feet, and proudly wearing a Rram horn headdress, Beyoncé is pure fashion fantasy.

Loza Malèombho

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”THEY’LL NEVER TAKE MY POWER” #BLACKISKING

A post shared by Loza Maléombho (@lozamaleombho) on Jul 30, 2020 at 1:12pm PDT

Ivorian designer Loza Malèombhos’ eponymous label “…has always stood for an image of African royalty…” of which Beyoncé is the embodiment. She is a regal vision in a custom structured monochrome jacket with gold accents.

Ashi Studio

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@beyonce‘s Black Is King film is an ode to the Black Lives Matter movement, advocating and supporting black lives and women. Mr.Ashi was honored to create this elaborate hand-made embroidered piece which took 70 hours of work that was featured in the Black is King film released by Disney and directed by Beyonce yesterday in the states. The look incorporated exotic feathers, placed one by one on the bodice for this film that has a powerful impact in the world. #AshiStudio #Beyonce #BlackIsKing Styled by: @Zerinaakers Assisted by: @rrrffb

A post shared by Ashi Studio (@ashistudio) on Aug 1, 2020 at 2:27am PDT

Saudi couturier Mohammad Ashi created an extravagant bird feather bodice for Beyoncé who previously donned the memorable Ashi Studio custom-made fuchsia gown back in 2018. The brand revealed that “…this elaborate hand-made embroidered piece took 70 hours of work…” as each feather was placed one by one.

5:31 Jèrôme

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@disneyplus #BLACKISKING @beyonce wears custom @531jerome hand beaded Nigerian lace and silk trench/jumper hybrid and Razer sharp sunglasses. Thanks @zerinaakers Turban in collab with @sarahsokolmillinery Details: JADE, TURQUOISE , QUARTZ, MOTHER OF PEARL , SILVER HEMATITE, @swarovski details.

A post shared by 5:31 JÉRÔME (@531jerome) on Jul 31, 2020 at 4:53am PDT

Born and raised in The Bronx, Jerome Lamaar’s brand fuses his love for embellishments, maximalism, and streetwear – all of which beautifully culminate in the jewel green structured Nigerian lace trench/dress hybrid.

Erdem

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@BEYONCE in @ERDEM, Look 37 from AW19, in #BlackIsKing – her new visual album.

A post shared by ERDEM (@erdem) on Jul 31, 2020 at 6:59am PDT

Erdem’s history-steeped Fall 2019 line was inspired by the life of Princess Donna Orietta Doria-Pamphilj-Landi, who sensationally tore the paintings off the walls of her Roman palazzo and wore them as kilts, and sewed her jewels into her clothes to escape Mussolini’s Italy. The weight of carrying her heritage wherever she went ties in poetically with the Black is King narrative, so it’s no wonder that one of the decadently tiered silk gowns from the collection features prominently in the tea party scene.

Marine Serre

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Stunning Beyoncé in her newly released ALREADY music video for Black is King movie Directed by @beyonce Stylist @zerinaakers

A post shared by MARINE SERRE – FUTUREWEAR (@marineserre_official) on Jul 31, 2020 at 5:49am PDT

No stranger to catsuits, Beyoncé has been a fan of the upcycling-driven French brand for a while. The Parisian designer’s signature sporty crescent moon printed pieces fit Beyoncé and her dance troupe like a second skin, leaving us as mesmerized as longtime Beyoncé fan girl Adele who took to her Instagram dressed in the same print to say “Thank you, Queen, for always making us all feel so loved through your art.”

Mansoori

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❤️ @beyonce #BlackIsKing

A post shared by Naomi Campbell (@naomi) on Aug 1, 2020 at 1:46pm PDT

To hold her own next to legendary supermodel Naomi Campbell, Beyoncé chose Bahraini designer Shaima Al Mansoori. It took 81 hours to drape and craft her glamourous plum coloured ballgown with Monsoori’s signature ruffles and frills.

Lead image courtesy of Instagram/beyonce

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Tags: Ashi Studio, Beyonce, Beyonce and Jay Z, Black Culture, Black Identity, Black is King, Burberry, Singer-Songwriter, The Lion King, Valentino

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