IN BETWEEN relaxing and finalising the SS23 collection for Balmain, Olivier Rousteing‘s surroundings were filled with the sounds of Beyoncé’s latest album Renaissance. Playing on an endless loop, each track began to have an impact beyond making the creative director dance, but dug itself deep into his mind leading him to pick up his pen and draw out a collection that channelled the joy and freedom embedded in this record.
Comprised of sixteen tracks, Rousteing finished his summer having memorised all the words to each song and with a sketchbook of 50 silhouettes directly inspired by Renaissance. No stranger to working with Beyoncé, the designer has crafted some of her most memorable looks, including for the Super Bowl Half Time show and her Formation World Tour. However, this time he wanted to do things differently, he asked her to not be his muse but creative collaborator.
I Am That Girl – Balmain Renaissance Couture
Cozy – Balmain Renaissance Couture
Energy – Balmain Renaissance Couture
Embracing this opportunity, the pair along with her stylist, Marni Senofonte and the Balmain design team worked together on bringing the sketches that most resonated with the singer to life. By late January, the pieces had been made by the Parisian ateliers, and were then flown to Los Angeles where Rousteing, Senofonte and Beyoncé spent ten days putting the final touches on what would come to be called Renaissance Couture.
Energy – Balmain Renaissance Couture
Break My Soul – Balmain Renaissance Couture
Move – Balmain Renaissance Couture
Marking many firsts, like Beyoncé being the first Black woman to oversee a couture collection from a historic Parisian House, and doing this alongside the first Black man to take the helm of a major brand, the clothes that have transpired are a beautiful example of what can happen when you infuse two creative forms into one.
Thique – Balmain Renaissance Couture
All Up In Your Mind – Balmain Renaissance Couture
America Has A Problem – Balmain Renaissance Couture
What started as an album has concluded with an entire visual identity written by Olivier Rousteing in the font of Balmain – quite literally a Virgo’s Groove.
by Imogen Clark