Queen Bey has been using her art to disrupt the world since she dropped Lemonade’s visual album back in 2016. She followed that with Homecoming on Netflix in April, 2019. This weekend, she gave all black and brown boys and girls life with her Disney+ release, Black is King. Black is King is a visual album that reimagines the journey of Lion King’s Simba by taking us on a little boy’s journey of self discovery. But not of just himself but of his culture and his people.
The mixing of Afrobeats throughout the album gave me life and “Brown Skin Girl” literally made me tear up. But I will get to the cultural moments in that visual in another article.
First, I want to focus on how Beyonce conveyed a message through the exceptional fashion celebrating the diaspora throughout. Bey wore several well known designers of Europe, but what impressed me the most were the smaller and less known fashion labels helmed by black or African designers. There was even one created by a Kosovian designer as well that I absolutely loved.
Beyonce slayed me with the black and white striped number (above) with gold hardware created by Ivorian American designer Loza Maleombho. Bey rocked this outfit in bantu knots and cornrows she wiggled to “Already.” I couldn’t help but wiggle with her because I love Afrobeats.
Beyonce gave me goddess vibes when she channeled Oshun throughout, a Yoruba Orisha (goddess) of the sweetwaters. Oshun is represented by yellow, pink and green. The above yellow frock by Senegalese designer Adama Paris was a major nod to the goddess.
Then Bey decided she was going to snatch our wigs as she rolled in desert sands in this sparkly number by African American designer Destiney Bleu, famously known for her crystal embellished pieces and for suing Khloe Kardashian for knocking off her work. Bleu got her validation when her design was featured in Black is King.
Then the Queen decided she was going to give us water in this afro-futuristic high slit corseted blue number by African-American designer Jerome LaMaar of 531jerome. It makes her look like a moving ocean which I am sure was the aesthetic she was going for.
Finally, Beyonce gave us Amazonian Queen in this Kosovian designer Kutja Meri cheetah print off-the-shoulder number custom made with Beyonce’s signature high slit. Despite not being of African descent, Kutja captured the essence of blackness in this stunning outfit. It was a masterpiece that gave me my forever mood and I can’t unsee it.
Needless to say, Black is King invigorated most of my senses with sound, emotion, and visuals. I can see the vision these artists have for the future and it is bright and filled with badass fashion.
Thanks to The Cut for identifying and featuring Beyonce’s designers! Photos are screenshots from Black is King and via Instagram
And to think they said she would not make it when she left Destiny’s Child!!
BRAVO!!! Loved the fashion, loved the clear message!
The first image gave me Mel B vibes during Spice Girls era in the best way 😀
Beyonce gives me joy. Seeing her express her creativity and sheer excellence in a way that lifts up her own community has been an amazing thing to see.
Same here, and it’s great when an artist can deliver both vocally and visually.
I completely agree with you. I don’t even know her music that well; the few songs of hers I’ve heard I def like…BUT! I LOVE how much she lifts people up and gives voice to otherwise marginalized folks who’d NEVER have a platform the size she has.
I also love how she much she bothers some people (read: OLD WHITE MEN and Karens).
Gorgeous.
I’m rarely a fan of her red carpet looks but she has been killing it for years in video clips / visual albums
Too bad that the music is not as good as the visuals.
You think? I disagree, but even if I didn’t, Black parade is one of the most beautiful pieces I ever heard, and I ain’t talking about music only.
Maybe that’s why the focus was on the VISUALS and I would say the goal was achieved.
Maybe you are not the “target audience”, Jenni.
Music is great, just maybe it wasn’t meant for you lol.
I thought “The Gift” was a bop. I loved how she worked with African artists to bring another modern vision of “The Lion King” to life. I listened to many of those songs on repeat when the album came out, so I’m loving the visual album.
The fashion was amazing! Every look worked. The shoes she wears when in the robe reading the paper are to die for!
Those are all sumptuous and breathtaking. I love when any star chooses lesser known brands and Beyoncé is really great for this and for her community. It’s quite impressive, she’s one of a kind in her impact.
The only thing is when her husband tries to look high fashion it usually seems a bit goofy. Maybe I’m just used to seeing him in his old style or I don’t get men’s current fashion. I think she needs a new stylist for her husband, (since in this imperfect world she doesn’t have a husband to match her beauty hotness and elegance… he’s a lucky man)
Adore Beyonce and her creativity. Dislike her husband intensely, which prevents me from going all in with Beyonce. I’ll be enjoying something Beyonce and suddenly he’s there and it’s like a bucket of cold water and I’m completely turned off. Working on it.
In the last few years it seems Jay doesnt leave her side,even some fans have complained they dont want anymore joint tours.
What I love is the JayZ seems like he’s the one riding her coattails at this point (isn’t he?). I hate his deal with the NFL and his betrayal of Kaepernick. He’s lucky Beyonce lets him lick her boots.
It came out on Friday and I watched it a total of three times this weekend. Her music is amazing, but I just love how ambitious she is with how she’s going to present this art to us (visual album, incredible live performances that serve so much drama and make a statement, etc), and how she makes room for others in bringing that vision forward. Love, love, love.
LOVE. This was amazing. I want to watch it again.
Love it!
Bravo Beyonce, the album was amazing. It was great seeing some of my favorite artists like Burna Boy, Wiz Kid, Yemi Alade and Tiwa Savage on one album. The clothes, artistry and choreography were top notch. I hope Zerin wins awards for the styling.
Beyoncé is fabulous. Every outfit was excellent. She does so much for small business and designers. I enjoyed reading your article.
This was just SO good. Afrofuturism is now my only aesthetic.
2020 has generally sucked but at least we have the Queen!
Stunningly creative and beautiful woman. I hope she succeeds beyond her wildest dreams.
I watched it on Saturday, I really liked it, though the Scar parts made me feel like a child, I was scared. “My power” was great, the energy, the visuals, the song, just perfect. It’s hard to pick my favourite fashion moment because everyone looked amazing, maybe the pink dress young Nala wore?
I can’t believe it’s been four years since Lemonade! I haven’t watched it yet.
Love it! Will be watching it tonight. It set Twitter ablaze
*cornrows, not cornwalls…unless my entire existence is a lie.
Lordt, I think it was a typo. Thank you for catching it. lol
Beyonce is killing it.
Black is King is really a phenomenon. The fashion is so amazing, it wouldn’t fit on one post.
She updated her listing on her website, with more african designers and one from my country is featured and it made me so happy!
This movie reignited my love for fashion. Job well done, indeed.
Like someone said on ig:
Team: How many outfits do you want for this movie?
Beyoncé: Yes.
cracked me up
I want to see this so much. I’m going to have to subscribe to Disney new plus for at least the trial.
I’m sure that’s what Disney was banking on.
I get so emotional watching her performances, no other current performer gets me this emotional so to me bey has no peers