Yesterday to everyone surprise the news broke that Beyoncé and adidas would be ending their collaborative ties, the record-breaking Grammy-winner announced a new partnership with French luxury fashion house Balmain.
Today we were just as surprised to be informed that Beyoncé co-designed a Balmain Haute Couture collection with the maison’s longtime creative director Olivier Rousteing, inspired by the artist’s seventh solo studio album, Renaissance.
Renaissance Couture by Beyoncé x Balmain features 16 otherworldly bespoke creations, dedicated to the 16 tracks on the award-winning record. “Thank you @olivier_rousteing and @balmain for bringing RENAISSANCE to life in couture,” Beyoncé wrote on Instagram. “Designing alongside you was freeing — thank you for allowing me to celebrate the human form, to take artistic risks, to push boundaries and to freely express myself.”
In an official press release, Rousteing described being transfixed by the music on her recent album, which was released in July, and feeling the urge to create. In September, the designer enlisted the help of Beyoncé and her stylist Marni Senofonte to co-design the collection.
The designer expressed his gratitude and excitement on Instagram writing, “More than Fashion, more than music, it’s when we can combine both ARTS. RENAISSANCE IS INSPIRATION FOR LIFE. Creating with you @beyonce is an important chapter of my life. You made me believe in me and pushing boundaries like no one else.
@marnixmarni , you are also my Alien Superstar. YOUR’E ARE TOO CLASSY FOR THIS WORLD! Your vision, your passion and helping to create this collection all together is more than what I could dream about. I love you forever.”
In a second post, Rousteing said, “Dear @beyonce creating this couture collection with you was more than a dream. You inspired me every day since the beginning of my career. Renaissance is more than an album its FREEDOM, its STRENGTH, LOVE and BATTLE FOR A BETTER FUTURE. 16 couture looks for 16 songs and now our couture Renaissance is out 🖤 and I have tears in my eyes when I see all what we did.”
He continued, “Thank you for being You. For creating together on the rhythm of Renaissance and sharing both arts: music and Fashion together. You were right it’s our Virgo Power and I love You forever. OR.”
Beyonce wore “Virgo’s Groove”song song outfit on the night of the Grammy Awards. In photos shared on Instagram, she wore a soft peach velvet gown with a dramatic tunneled collar, a plunging neckline with a golden breastplate and a thigh-high slit with matching velvet leggings that extended into peep-toe wedge heels. Beyoncé completed her outfit with a (potentially trophy-inspired) golden hat and embellished sunglasses.
She captioned the post, “We won 3 y’all! To my Hive, thank y’all so much for all of your love and loyalty! Big thank you for the BREAK MY SOUL and CUFF IT wins!!!” The musician went on to thank her fellow “Break My Soul,” “Cuff It,” and “Plastic Off the Sofa” creators and collaborators. “It feels great to be honored for the vocal performance. Thank you to all the talented vocalists who killed those beautiful TikTok renditions!” she added. “I feel very grateful and filled with joy!”
Beyoncé wore the Balmain design inspired by the song, “PURE/HONEY” to receive her awards at the 2023 BRIT Awards for best international artist and international song of the year for “Break My Soul.” She appeared virtually wearing the black-and-white sequined checkerboard jumpsuit with furry long sleeves and a coordinating tiered sequined hat
