Designers on Call: Beyoncé's Stage Wardrobe
Who can say that they can call up Balmain at any point for an outfit? Beyoncé of course.
Being that the outlook for any big concerts occurring this year is dim, I thought it’d be a good time to look back at some of one of touring’s largest powerhouses—Beyoncé. Her last solo tour alone grossed over $250 million dollars, and while the current pandemic halted any announcement, it was speculated that a new solo tour was imminent.
Each new Beyoncé tour and performance brings with it a collection of various top tier designer outfits. Long gone are the days that Beyoncé’s mother and uncle would have to make her tour wardrobe. Instead, all she and her costume designers have to say to designers is “give us what you’ve got.”
Here are some of Queen B’s most show-stopping outfits:
For her 2018 Coachella performance, Beyoncé called on Balmain to design her performance outfits, along with those for the 200+ dancers. Being a notorious perfectionist, Beyoncé detailed in her Homecoming documentary that every color, thread, and jewel was hand picked by her. The sketches released for the outfits are no doubt no the first iterations of the designs, but even so Beyoncé ended up changing the final, camo set for a more standard leotard look.
Beyoncé’s constant choreography often results in her costume designer and team having to alter the tour outfits to increase mobility and decrease the possibility of a Janet Jackson level of wardrobe malfunction. Even with all the attention to detail put into ever outfit, the the previously mentioned camo look from Coachella caused Beyoncé some problems, as she was seen constantly having to hold up the bust of the leotard.
On that note of risque, Beyoncé’s “nipple costume” received a lot of press during her Mrs. Carter World Tour. Designed by New York based The Blonds, the golden shimmering piece compliments Beyoncé’s most sensual songs perfectly. It also alludes back to Madonna’s infamous Jean Paul Gaultier conical bra from her Blond Ambition Tour.
Aside from sensual, Beyoncé’s outfits are also heavily connected to her African heritage. This influence was the most present during her 2018 Global Citizens concert in Africa where she embodied the spirit of Africa across various outfit.
First stepping out in a beaded Mary Katrantzou piece, Beyoncé was flanked by long cape with Africa’s countries displayed on it. The beading on the body suit also made up different African regions. Other looks included a vibrant Versace body suit and hat, a feathery Balmain piece, and an emerald green piece by Ashi Studi.
For her On the Run II Tour with Jay Z, Beyoncé continued to partner with Balmain, Versace, but also called on new collaborations. Some notable pieces include her grand purple cape that became a staple of the tour. It is speculated that the golden outfit was going to be her 2018 Met Gala look, and it seems plausible given its Medieval metallic and papal purple.
Robero Cavalli made several appearances throughout the tour. A shimmering white ensemble was worn several times to open the show. It followed Beyoncé’s adoration for outfits that sparkle, as most of her outfits on the tour were drenched in Swarovski crystals. Cavalli also helped her become a true Queen Bee with a yellow and black piece that jiggled with her dancing.
For one of her most striking looks, Beyoncé sported a stunning silver Vivienne Westwood piece. Looking like a complete superhero, she dawned a long cape that flowed with the help of Beyoncé’s iconic fans. Worn during the part of the show where the stage floats above the crowd, the shinning suit remains one of her most eye catching pieces across any tour.
According to Mary Katrantzou, she did not know Beyoncé would actually end up wearing her piece until the moment Beyoncé stepped on stage with it on. Which begs to wonder—what stunning looks has she kept on the clothing rack? Leave it up to Beyoncé to have some of the most talented designers in the world on the edge of their seats.
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