Beyonce’s stylist reveals it took more than 1,000 hours to create Valentino leopard catsuit for Black is King
Beyoncé‘s stylist has revealed the extent of the work that went into dressing the star for her acclaimed visual album Black Is King, detailing the hours that were spent creating one of the most recognisable looks from the Disney+ film.
Black Is King, described as being “a story for the ages that informs and rebuilds the present”, features songs from The Lion King soundtrack, as well as Beyoncé’s accompanying album The Gift.
In the music video for the song “Mood 4 Eva”, Beyoncé is filmed lounging on the hood of a leopard-print Rolls Royce, wearing a matching leopard-print catsuit and surrounded by a group of men wearing leopard-print suits.
Stylist Zerina Akers, who has worked with Beyoncé for the past six years, explained the creative process behind devising Beyoncé’s many looks for the film, including the dazzling leopard-print ensemble.
Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar, Akers said it took “five people on the catsuit and five people on the jacket 300 hours each to make that look”, stating that she believes the time spent was “damn worth it”.
“When we worked on the all-leopard and animal-print pieces, many people hadn’t successfully mixed animal prints in that way, and on so many people,” she said.
“It feels like an old lady gang in Harlem, but still speaks to a very modern woman, a very strong woman – it’s really beautiful and Valentino!”
Akers added that she believes this marked the first time that a Valentino Couture garment has been featured in a music video.
“That’s typically reserved for red carpet,” she said.
1/10 Ivorian Loza Maléombho
Beyoncé’s dramatic shoulder padded blazer is a custom piece from Côte d’Ivoire-based designer Ivorian Loza Maléombho, whose SS16 collection appeared on backup dancers in the “Formation” video.
Disney, Black Is King
2/10 Marine Serre
Beyoncé and her dance group sport skin tight bodysuits designed by Marine Serre, which are covered in the brand’s iconic crescents. The singer was first seen wearing the look at a basketball game in 2019.
Disney, Black Is King
3/10 Burberry
This look, which shows Beyoncé with her hair styled into braided horns, was designed by Burberry’s Riccardo Tisci. The cow-print mini skirt appeared in the designer’s first-ever runway show for the brand.
Disney, Black Is King
4/10 Erdem
Beyoncé wears a tiered silk gown designed by Erdem that positively blooms with red, pink and purple flowers. The dress first featured in the designer’s AW19 runway collection.
Disney, Black Is King
5/10 Molly Goddard
This hot-pink gown designed by London’s Molly Goddard stars in the song “Water”. The dress features a super-voluminous silhouette that boasts a 100m tulle hem and an explosion of ruffles.
Disney, Black Is King
6/10 Alon Livné
Alon Livné’s sculptural white gown was one of the first fashion moments seen by fans when the Black Is King trailer dropped. The dress is worn with a Laurel DeWitt headpiece.
Disney, Black Is King
7/10 Valentino Couture
This leopard print sequinned jumpsuit is custom Valentino couture. The crystal-studded sunglasses are designed by New York-based brand A-Morir, which also counts the likes of Debbie Harry, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga as fans.
Disney, Black Is King
8/10 Area
This glittering fringed dress is made by Area designers Beckett Fogg and Piotrek Panszczyk’s. It is just one of a few looks the singer wears in the video by the brand, all of which come dripping in crystals.
Disney, Black Is King
9/10 Mugler
This rainbow dress and leggings combo is designed by Mugler and was first seen on the brand’s SS20 runway. The singer’s daughter, Blue Ivy, can also be seen in the visual album wearing a different version of the look.
Disney, Black Is King
10/10 Mary Katrantzou
This rainbow-coloured, ruffled gown was taken from Mary Katrantzou’s AW19 collection which explored the elements: earth, air, fire and water.
Disney, Black Is King
1/10 Ivorian Loza Maléombho
Beyoncé’s dramatic shoulder padded blazer is a custom piece from Côte d’Ivoire-based designer Ivorian Loza Maléombho, whose SS16 collection appeared on backup dancers in the “Formation” video.
Disney, Black Is King
2/10 Marine Serre
Beyoncé and her dance group sport skin tight bodysuits designed by Marine Serre, which are covered in the brand’s iconic crescents. The singer was first seen wearing the look at a basketball game in 2019.
Disney, Black Is King
3/10 Burberry
This look, which shows Beyoncé with her hair styled into braided horns, was designed by Burberry’s Riccardo Tisci. The cow-print mini skirt appeared in the designer’s first-ever runway show for the brand.
Disney, Black Is King
4/10 Erdem
Beyoncé wears a tiered silk gown designed by Erdem that positively blooms with red, pink and purple flowers. The dress first featured in the designer’s AW19 runway collection.
Disney, Black Is King
5/10 Molly Goddard
This hot-pink gown designed by London’s Molly Goddard stars in the song “Water”. The dress features a super-voluminous silhouette that boasts a 100m tulle hem and an explosion of ruffles.
Disney, Black Is King
6/10 Alon Livné
Alon Livné’s sculptural white gown was one of the first fashion moments seen by fans when the Black Is King trailer dropped. The dress is worn with a Laurel DeWitt headpiece.
Disney, Black Is King
7/10 Valentino Couture
This leopard print sequinned jumpsuit is custom Valentino couture. The crystal-studded sunglasses are designed by New York-based brand A-Morir, which also counts the likes of Debbie Harry, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga as fans.
Disney, Black Is King
8/10 Area
This glittering fringed dress is made by Area designers Beckett Fogg and Piotrek Panszczyk’s. It is just one of a few looks the singer wears in the video by the brand, all of which come dripping in crystals.
Disney, Black Is King
9/10 Mugler
This rainbow dress and leggings combo is designed by Mugler and was first seen on the brand’s SS20 runway. The singer’s daughter, Blue Ivy, can also be seen in the visual album wearing a different version of the look.
Disney, Black Is King
10/10 Mary Katrantzou
This rainbow-coloured, ruffled gown was taken from Mary Katrantzou’s AW19 collection which explored the elements: earth, air, fire and water.
Disney, Black Is King
Another outfit that stood out in Black Is King was the Jérôme blue lace ensemble that Beyoncé wore for the song “Already”, which featured an extravagant headpiece and matching corseted trench dress.
Akers explained that the look drew inspiration from “women at Nigerian weddings and the power, the strength, and the essence of these matriarchal Nigerian women”.
The stylist stated that for her, the “epitome” of the visual album was “highlighting and celebrating Africa and the African diaspora”.
“That’s important for me, for every project we’re on to just consistently amplify the voices and the visibility of Black designers,” she said.
To take a look at the best fashion moments from Black Is King, click here.