Olivier Rousteing couldn’t help himself. After hearing Beyoncé’s jubilant RENAISSANCE, a celebration of dance and ballroom culture in the wake of pandemic-enforced isolation, the creative director of Balmain spent his summer vacation sketching designs to the pulsing beat of “CUFF IT.” Fast forward to January, and Rousteing and his Balmain team were putting the final touches on their 14-look collection with Beyoncé and stylist Marni Senofonte. The result is RENAISSANCE Couture, a Beyoncé x Balmain collaboration that doubles as a spirited, high-fashion exploration of texture and strength, replete with metal-spiked bustiers, zebra print sequin bodysuits, and “pussy pink” feathers. Rousteing and Beyoncé carefully incorporate what Balmain does best—elegant corsetry, draping, and keen attention to detail—alongside odes to Donna Summer’s metallic disco days or the glamorous flamboyance of the ballroom. The looks meditate on power, utilizing metalwork from Elie Hirsch and featherwork from Maison Fevrier to celebrate the human form. Marking the first time a Black woman has overseen the couture offerings from a Parisian fashion house, the Beyoncé x Balmain collection makes a statement.
