Long-term friends and iconic duo Olivier Rousteing and Beyoncé have joined forces once more to create a haute couture collection, inspired by the singer’s Renaissance album. Consisting of 16 looks, the collection draws inspiration from lines, lyrics, and entire songs and emulates the power of Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning compositions. She announced the news on Friday, posting her first French Vogue cover on Instagram with lyrics from the opening track of Renaissance: Touching everything in my plain view, and everything next to me gets lit up, too.
Rousteing told French Vogue that the idea to collaborate came about when he was sketching while listening to the new album on repeat after its July 2022 release, and was inspired by the lyrics and music. He contacted Beyonce and her stylist, Marni Senofonte, and said he would like to create a couture collection together as co-designers. He had many sketches inspired by the album but managed to whittle it down to just one per song, two of which Beyonce already wore to the Grammys and BRIT awards before the collaboration was officially released. The looks incorporate historic elements of Balmain and celebrate Beyoncé’s heritage, bringing to life the powerful emotions encapsulated in her music.
Rousteing and Beyoncé have worked together many times over the years, from perfecting outfits for her 2018 Coachella headline to opening his 10-year anniversary show for Balmain in 2021.
She says he is a “dream collaborator and a constantly innovating and evolving creative”, with whom she knew she “would want to work on a collection from their very first meeting”.
Renaissance is Beyoncé’s 7th studio album, created during the COVID-19 pandemic with the intention of inspiring happiness and an escape from isolation to listeners, and to celebrate the liberation of marginalised people through dance. It won a Grammy for best dance and electronic album and was nominated for album of the year.
Now, let’s look at some of the 16 outfits it inspired:
Cozy; comfortable in my skin (cozy, cozy)
Image Credit: Balmain
A ‘feu d’artifice’ firework-inspired dress made of black velvet and pink feathers with a matching black velvet turban. The look represents self-love and visualises being surrounded by explosions of fireworks.
Break My Soul; I’m buildin’ my own foundation, yeah
Image Credit: “Church Girl” from Renaissance Couture – BeyoncéxBalmain. Photography by Louie Banks, courtesy of Balmain
Draping shiny black velvet to create a hooded dress, cinched with a black chrome electroplated bustier. Designed to project power and confidence onto the wearer, creating the illusion of a naked torso by 3D printing the bustier.
Thique; Baby, that’s that thique
Image Credit: Balmain
Hammered brass bustier adorned in crystal pendants over a black velvet bodysuit, with matching crystal earrings and velvet turban. Inspired by Parisian chandeliers and traditional ballroom design.
Church Girl; nobody can judge me but me, I was born free
Image Credit: Balmain
Black velvet cape with red interior, metallic belt, and silver chrome bustier. The hat is inspired by records. The outfit represents success, self-confidence, and not apologising for enjoying yourself.
Pure/Honey; It should cost a billion to look this good
Image Credit: Balmain
Mixing sequins, metals, and feathers with harlequin, zebra, and psychedelic patterns to create this bodysuit. As seen on Beyoncé at the BRITs, it aims to pay homage to and channel the energy and joy of the ballroom community.
Virgo’s Groove; I want it right here, right now
Image Credit: Balmain
Pink velvet gown and ‘second skin’ with metallic décolleté by sculptor Elie Hirsch and a reinterpreted vintage Balmain hat. Beyonce and Olivier are both virgos, and the look represents disco, funk, and intensity.
Energy (01); Oh, la, la, la
That’s the way them boys sound when I walk through the block-block-block
Image Credit: Balmain
Black-dyed pheasant feathers grab your attention, embroidered onto a macramé gown. Crafted from black silk, velvet, rayon, and patent-leather threads, this was one of the most complicated designs in the collection, designed with the intention of creating something sensual and alluring that commanded power.
Energy (02); You know that I’m gon’ be extra when that camera go pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop
Image Credit: Balmain
Gown, hat, and earrings created with a pattern inspired by traditional African hair-braiding. Taking over a month to complete its creation; the gown began as a series of sketches of African motifs before transforming into this powerful silhouette.
America Has a Problem; Boy, you can’t get no higher than this No, ‘cause love don’t get no higher than this no, no
Image Credit: Balmain
Jumpsuit with draped red velvet and gold chrome bustier. It reflects the song’s confidence and attracts attention through its similarity to the red carpet.
Summer Renaissance; It’s so good, it’s so good, it’s so good, it’s so good, it’s so good
Image Credit: Balmain
Wig, cape, and dress embroidered with fringes, crystals, and rhinestones.The final track on the album inspires outright extravagance and maximalism. Beginning her world tour in May 2023, we can only hope to see more of these looks on Queen B, perhaps she will wear one to the upcoming Met Gala…
Words by Lucy Walshe
Header Image by Mia Washbrook
