The 13 Best Outfits From Beyoncé's New Visual Album, 'Black Is King'
Some great news to kick off the new week: Beyoncé has just dropped her highly-anticipated new album, Black is King, and it's a visual and sonic feast for the senses. Available to watch on Disney+, Black is King is the multi-hyphenate’s third visual album, following Beyoncé in 2013 and Lemonade in 2016. It’s also a visual companion to last year's album, The Lion King: The Gift, which was curated by Beyoncé for the 2019 remake of the beloved Disney movie.
Black is King, which features a star-studded cast (Lupita Nyong’o, Kelly Rowland, and Naomi Campbell, among many others), also displays an incredible array of fashion looks, thanks to Queen Bey's longtime stylist and costume designer, Zerina Akers. There’s a fair share of animal prints, including a cow-print number designed by Burberry's Riccardo Tisci, as well as maximalist pieces such as a diamond-encrusted fringe number by Tanaya Henry, a Marine Serre one-piece, and a colourful, ruffled Mary Katrantzou dress.
Below, we’ve compiled what we think are some of Beyoncé's best looks from her latest album.
Exuding a primal perspective and animal prints galore, this was the image that many saw when Beyoncé first announced Black is King. Here, she wears a Valentino leopard print catsuit and heels by Christian Louboutin, topped off with sunglasses by A-Morir.
Riccardo Tisci, chief creative officer of Burberry, devoted this custom cow-print ensemble to the visual album, pairing a wool trench coat with a matching wool mini skirt, a mesh and satin corset, and faux leather, over-the-knee boots.
Pulled from Mary Katrantzou's Fall/Winter 2019 collection, Beyoncé gives ruffles a whole new meaning in this multicoloured gown. Katrantzou imparted dimension to the look by intertwining the dual textures of taffeta and feathers, while channeling an ombré from violet tones to shades of deep blue.
Designer Tanaya Henry crafted this custom one-piece for Beyoncé more than a year ago, and it's finally gotten the spotlight it deserves. The diamond-encrusted fringe number is showcased via an ethereal scene in the visual album, adding depth through shimmer and sparkle.
Sporting a statement updo, Beyoncé pairs her beaded locks with a black-and-white, off-the-shoulder dress by Tongoro Studio. If anyone can pull off this look, it's Bey.
New York-based label AREA is known for its liberal use of rhinestones, and is responsible this crystal-embellished, fringed unitard. The custom ensemble also includes a headpiece accented with a mosaic fringe.
Sparkle seems to be a theme in the visual album, as is evident in this scintillating look. Beyoncé accessorises the ensemble with matching rhinestone sunglasses and a statement necklace.
Beyoncé celebrates the female silhouette with Marine Serre's emblematic crescent moon print bodysuit in “Already”. She's, uh, already a huge supporter of the French label, so it’s only fitting she should give the designer a shout-out here.
This beach scene is everything we need and more. The high slit and diaphanous fabric of this custom Wendy Nichol gown accentuate Beyoncé's curves as she takes a casual stroll down the beach.
Olivier Rousteing's Balmain Spring/Summer 2020 collection makes its way into "Spirit" with this pleated off-the-shoulder top and matching yellow maxi skirt.
An opulent floral scene revealed ex Destiny's Child member, Kelly Rowland, in a two-piece satin number, while other familiar faces like Adut Akech and Blue Ivy Carter can be seen in the film as well. Akech adds a burst of bright pink to the scene in a strappy gown with cape detailing, as Carter sits beside Beyoncé in a Cinderella-esque ball gown and a pearl necklace.
Clad in yet another animal print outfit, Beyoncé stuns in this white cheetah-print dress. Accessories clearly play a huge part in the album, and in this instance, Bey pairs her gown with black opera gloves and those tiny-yet-not sunglasses.
Created by Beirut-based Ashi Studio, this black feathered bustier was entirely made by hand, and took a total of 70 hours to complete. Worth it? We think so.
