Breaking Down Beyoncé's Best Looks in 'Black Is King'
Fashion

Breaking Down Beyoncé's Best Looks in 'Black Is King'

Beyoncé's highly anticipated visual album Black Is King dropped today on Disney+. The film, which is based on tracks from The Lion King: the Gift soundtrack she released last year, is a celebration of Black culture and African traditions. It's 1 hour and 25 minutes of stunning visuals shot in different locations with dancers from around the world. Unsurprisingly, the various fashion looks also take center stage. Stylist Zerina Akers conceived the wardrobe for this project, incorporating everything from major luxury label runway looks to custom pieces by independent Black designers. Below, we've rounded up all the looks Queen Bey wears, with more to be added as credits come in.

Beyoncé in Custom Mia Vesper

NYC-based designer Mia Vesper, known for her commitment to recycling, collaborated with Bey's stylist Zerina Akers to create this custom one-shoulder gown with hand-tacked, Grecian-style draping and a cutout just above the hip. The dress is accompanied by fingerless gloves, a shirred neck muffler, a one shoulder tiered cape, and a large headpiece, all rendered in the same stretch rayon lurex plissé fabric as the dress.

"Beyoncé creates entire worlds for us; she transports and invites us into her unique world that melds her music with her ethos, politics, experiences, and style," Vesper said. "My team and I worked around the clock for eight days; the entire time we reminded ourselves we weren't just making another dress, we were playing a part in making Beyoncé history!"

Beyoncé in Custom À VIE

For her biker chick look, Bey wore a multicolor metallic getup from À VIE.

Beyoncé in Custom Adama Paris

Senegal-based sustainable fashion label Adama Paris made this custom off-the-shoulder marigold number with matching headpiece.

Beyoncé in Alessandra Rich

This lace bodysuit with ruffled neckline is from Alessandra Rich's Fall 2019 collection.

Beyoncé in KEÄMA

For her single "Water." Bey fittingly wore a one-shouldered aqua gown with tiers of tulle and overlays with matching gloves by Black-owned fashion house KEÄMA.

Beyoncé in Balmain

Olivier Rousteing's colorful Spring 2020 collection for Balmain made its way onto Bey for this film, who wore an off-the-shoulder draped top and matching yellow slit skirt.

Beyoncé in Tongoro

She wears a black and white houndstooth Birma dress from Senegal-based African label Tongoro.

Beyoncé in S.Garvey Collective

Sam Garvey's fashion line S.Garvey Collective, known for their customized ready-to-wear made by hand out of its Brooklyn studio, created this floral bodysuit for Bey and a few of her dancers. The Black-owned brand incorporates heritage-rich patterns and body-hugging silhouettes that celebrate "shapely women of color."

Beyoncé in Confetti

New York-based designer Duckie Confetti made this hundred dollar bill-inspired two-piece robe set

Beyoncé in Déviant La Vie and Alani Taylor

This white lace and rope number was a team effort between Déviant La Vie and Alani Taylor.

Beyoncé in Vrettos Vrettakos

This couture dress from Athens-born designer Vrettos Vrettakos was made with 450,000 Swarovski crystals

Beyoncé in Custom Valentino Haute Couture

The embroidered leopard cape and jumpsuit with paillettes was made especially for Bey by Valentino's creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli.

Beyoncé in Lace By Tanaya

Designer Tanaya Henry made this shimmering crystal fringed cape look a year ago, according to her Twitter, and has been waiting for this moment ever since.

Beyoncé in Custom Alejandro Collection

Bey commands attention in this striking cobalt Alejandro gown with billowing sleeves and an endless train.

Beyoncé in Ashi Studio

This handmade feathered number took 70 hours to make by the Beirut-based label Ashi Studio.

Beyoncé in Custom 5:31 Jérôme

Designer Jerome LaMaar dressed Bey in a custom hand beaded Nigerian lace and silk trench/jumper hybrid in turquoise color palette complete with Mother of Pearl details.

Beyoncé in Wendy Nichol

In this still, Yonce looks as if she just emerged from the sea in this ethereal gown by Wendy Nichol, who designed the infamous "Drunk in Love" dress she wore on the beach.

Beyoncé in Custom Timothy White

Bey looks like a glorious statue in Timothy White's custom black tulle mermaid gown.

Beyoncé in Marine Serre

Bey has a thing for Marine Serre crescent-print catsuits (remember when she wore one to a Houston Rockets basketball game last year?) and she revisited it again for this film alongside her backup dancers.

Beyoncé in Alessandra Rich

This shimmering long dress with high slit is a design signature from red carpet-favorite Alessandra Rich.

Beyoncé in Molly Goddard

One of the most famous looks from designer Molly Goddard's repertoire, the Fall 2019 "Daria" dress is worn in the song "WATER ft Salatiel and Pharell." The sculpted pink gown comprises of a 100-meter tulle hem and a hand-smocked bodice and layered tulle skirt.

Beyoncé in Levenity

Hatian-American, Dallas-based designer Venny Etienne (and former Project Runway contestant) made this custom yellow floral jacket for Bey that inspired his latest ready-to-wear collection.

Beyoncé in Mary Katrantzou

This flouncy ruffled number is from London-based designer Mary Katrantzou's Fall 2019 collection.

Beyoncé in AREA

New York-based label AREA is known for their decadent crystal fringed pieces, and this sparkly number from its Fall 2019 collection fits the bill perfectly.

Beyoncé in Loza Maléombho

Hailing from the West African nation of Côte d'Ivoire, Loza Maléombho created this structured, geometric jacket with gold hardware and plunging neckline.

Beyoncé in Michaela Stark

This relaxed yet body-hugging denim hybrid was made by lingerie designer Michaela Stark.

Beyoncé in Custom Burberry

Burberry's chief creative officer Riccardo Tisci made Bey this custom cow-print corset top and matching wool mini skirt.

Beyoncé in D Bleu Dazzled

Destiney Bleu's fashion label D Bleu Dazzled is responsible for this sparkly black bodysuit.

Beyoncé in Erdem

This floral frock from Erdem's Fall 2019 collection is a fitting number for the garden party setting in this clip.

Beyoncé in Alon Livné

Tel Aviv-based designer Alon Livné designed this sculptural white strapless ensemble with billowing sleeves. The accompanying couture turban was made by Bey's go-to designer Laurel DeWitt.

Beyoncé in Custom Mugler

The custom rainbow-printed jersey dress with matching harness gloves and hosiery is taken from Mugler's Spring 2020 collection by creative director Casey Cadwallader and worn for the song "My Power."

Photos via Black is King screengrabs