Where's Your Park?
“INSPIRED BY INNER BEAUTY, STRENGTH, AND RESILIENCE” - Ivy Park x Adidas 2020
One of my most prized possessions is a hoodie I got at Beyoncé’s Formation World Tour autumn 2016 stop in Nashville. Not only does it remind me of one of the most electrifying concerts I have attended, but the hoodie also has a one-of-a-kind branding of both the tour name and Beyoncé’s athleisure line Ivy Park. At the time, its first launch of leggings, hoodies, accessories, and other athleisure wear had come out in the spring. It was a successful first launch, no doubt due to its status as a Beyoncé-product, but also it benefitted greatly from Ivy Park’s mid-range prices and distinct branding. While I was never necessarily blown away by any of the additions to the line throughout the years—content with my tour hoodie being the only Ivy Park merchandise I owned—it was clear that with each new launch, Beyoncé was expanding the brand and its vision.
Four years since she first asked, “Where is your park?” Beyoncé’s Ivy Park has expanded and matured into one of the most impressive ventures in Bey’s incomparable career. The new direction for the brand came earlier this year with its first launch in collaboration with Adidas. The drop was a wide line-up colored in stunning maroon, orange, and cream shades. A few months later and Beyoncé is stepping it up once more with two new drops in six new unique shades. The silhouettes for the latest “drips” (as Beyoncé calls them, and we shall now also) are similar to those of the winter—leotards, freeform jackets, structured tops, and hoodies, and smaller branding. Notably, the colors are the line’s most vibrant to date, contrasted by a black-drip that dropped mid-November.
While I was not able to snag any items (plus, they all sold out nearly instantly), here are some of my favorite looks from the newest Ivy Park additions:
The “Black Pack” drip might be my absolute favorite, but I am also guilty of wearing all-black outfits now and then. What strikes me the most about the black drip is how much more striking it is than Ivy Park’s original 2016 drops that also relied on black. The dark honey accents and smaller logos make these pieces far more sophisticated. The Adidas stripes also help give more structure and character.
Throughout all the different drips, there is a new focus on business casual attire which also looks particularly stunning in black. The more rigid tops and pant-suits, both of which still manage to look comfortable and gym-ready, bring a refreshing new style to the line.
The “Azure” drip includes a beautiful pantsuit, but it is this leotard combo with the other drips that really showcases how distinct Ivy Park has become. It also demonstrates that Beyoncé clearly wanted the colors of the line to be mixed-and-matched (although, let’s be real, she is probably the only one who can do this given that few of us could afford to buy all of the shades). The “de-grassy” green is a rich complement to the lightness of both the neon yellow/“Canari” and mint/Azure pieces.
Ivy Park has a history of producing flamboyant jackets (some treading more towards the runway than any running track), but the ones included in this collection toe the line between athletics and dramatics a lot more elegantly than other Ivy Park attempts. Their length mixed with the eye-catching shades of the drips maintain the flair, but there is a fluidity to them that makes them appear both light and sturdy. These seem perfect for stormy outdoor runs, and I suspect the wind + these jackets make you feel like Beyoncé with her dozens of stage fans.
I’m not sure if I have ever seen coral look this vibrant, but “Coral Lake” is without a doubt a dazzling range of pieces. These pieces pair perfectly with the tan “Honey” drip, which bares a similar shading to Beyoncé’s own complexion. I can’t help but notice that all of these shades are geared to complement darker skin tones. Although included in a fall release, all of these pieces seem summer-tan ready.
From the beginning, Beyoncé’s vision was clear—create an athleisure line that is both striking and inviting. The first attempts at this were noteworthy, but Ivy Park in 2020 is the true culmination of Beyoncé’s creative drive. Ambitious, bold, and inclusive is the space Ivy Park is building, encouraging all of us (even those with only a single hoodie in their closet) to wonder where our Parks lie.
