DUBAI: Beyonce’s latest and highly-anticipated visual release, “Black is King,” debuted on Disney+ this weekend, and it is filled with stunning fashion moments.
Based on songs from 2019’s “The Lion King” movie, which Beyoncé lent her voice to as Nala, the hour and 25 minute long clip is a series of interconnected music videos with guest appearances by her husband, Jay-Z, and daughter Blue Ivy Carter, Pharrell, Lupita Nyong’o and more Black artists, that is rife with editorial-worthy costumes.
Among the statement-making ensembles, which can be credited to the superstar’s longtime stylist, Zerina Akers, was a handmade, black feathered number from Saudi couturier Mohamed Ashi of Beirut-based label Ashi Studio, which the singer wore in the clip for “My Power.”
The look, which consisted of a black bustier embellished with exotic black feathers, took 70-hours to make.
“Mr. Ashi was honored to create this elaborate hand-made embroidered piece which took 70 hours of work that was featured in the ‘Black is King’ film released by Disney and directed by Beyonce yesterday in the states,” wrote the brand on its Instagram account.
“The look incorporated exotic bird feathers, placed one by one on the bodice for this film that has a powerful impact in the world,” the brand added.
Of course, it’s not the first time that the muti-Grammy Award-winning artist turned heads in a creation from the Saudi designer. In 2018, the mother of three stepped onto the stage of the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela at 100 event in Johannesburg, South Africa wearing a sculpted fuchsia couture gown by Ashi Studio. The frothy, layered creation was memorably also sported by Bollywood star Deepika Padukone at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival just a few months earlier.
Meanwhile, other note-worthy ensembles from “Black is King” include a custom Grecian-style gown from New York-based label Mia Vesper in the music video for “Water.”
Beyonce also wore a yellow, off-the-shoulder draped top and matching yellow slit skirt from Balmain for the “Spirit” clip as well as a custom cow-print Burberry corset designed by Riccardo Tisci in “Already.”
Other buzz-worthy brands featured in the visual include Molly Goddard, Mugler, Valentino Haute Couture and Alessandra Rich, among many others.
