From Stage to Street: How Beyoncé is Shaping the Trend Landscape
In the ever-changing fashion landscape, trends emerge, evolve, and fade away. While macro trends such as sustainability and inclusivity shape the industry, micro trends influence the daily decision of designers, retailers, and consumers. MA Luxury Brand Management student, Iman Zahid Hafeez, explores how Beyoncé’s impact is currently shaping the fashion industry.
From her early days as a member of Destiny’s Child to her solo career as Queen Bey, there is no denying that Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is not just a music icon, she is a trendsetter who has made an unforgettable mark on the fashion world. With her electrifying performances on stage and impeccable street style, Beyoncé consistently pushes boundaries and redefines the meaning of fashion. From ‘Dangerously in Love’s’ diamond-encrusted top to the yellow ruffle Roberto Cavalli dress worn in the ‘Hold Up’ music video, Beyoncé has left a lasting impact on pop culture.
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Act I: Renaissance
In 2023, Beyoncé embarked on her most monumental tour to date, The Renaissance World Tour. According to Vogue, the tour grossed over 579 million U.S. dollars, captivating 2.7 million fans across 39 cities. The shows themselves were a phenomenon to watch, featuring a fusion of space-cowboy aesthetics, striking visuals, and remarkable choreography.
On Instagram, Beyoncé stated “I was so engulfed in all things Renaissance and was inspired by Studio 54, Bob Mackie and the disco era”. This inspiration led to various custom onstage ensembles, from luxury brands such as, Alexander McQueen, Schiaparelli, Loewe, and Ferragamo just to name a few. Beyond the artistic brilliance of her performances, Beyoncé has consistently utilised fashion as a powerful medium to showcase and uplift Black culture, while simultaneously empowering artists of colour. In celebration of Juneteenth, she embraced the silver-themed aesthetic, paying homage to talented black designers such as Feben, Olivier Rousteing for Balmain, and featuring a shattered glass catsuit designed by LaQuan Smith.
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MA Fashion Styling one year programme
For luxury fashion brands, the Renaissance tour represented an extraordinary opportunity with the potential to go viral on a global scale and create a lasting impact. According to the Business of Fashion, following the tour’s opening night, Google searches for “Renaissance tour outfits” skyrocketed by 658 percent. Fashion brands keenly anticipated capitalising on this surge in interest by curating tour-inspired looks on their social media platforms.
Throughout the tour, fans engaged in online discussion on platforms like Reddit and Twitter, creating extensive threads dedicated to planning their own silver-themed outfits for the shows. The Renaissance World Tour undeniably sparked a trend of the year, with silver becoming a symbol of fashion-forwardness and a testament to the immense influence created by celebrities like Beyoncé.
Act II: Cowboy Carter
Earlier this year, Beyoncé made a notable appearance at the 66th Grammy Awards, dressed in an Autumn-Winter 24 Louis Vuitton outfit that included a white cowboy hat. This fashion choice sparked speculation among fans, who believed it to be a subtle hint at new music on the horizon. Their interpretation gained further traction when Beyoncé starred in a Super Bowl advertisement, attempting to break the internet multiple times before stating, “OK, they’re ready. Drop the new music”. This moment confirmed the highly anticipated release of Beyoncé’s eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter, which follows her previous album, Renaissance, and marks the beginning of a western-inspired era for the singer.
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True to Beyoncé’s unwavering commitment to artistry, her country-inspired aesthetic is not only evident in her music but also extends to her wardrobe choices. Since her memorable appearance at the Grammys, Beyoncé has been embracing a western-inspired fashion look, often seen wearing cowboy hats, boots, and bolo ties. In her latest pre-Cowboy Carter photoshoot, she showcased an avant-garde tuxedo. Instead of a traditional bow tie, she opted for a shiny black ribbon decorated with a string of diamonds, reminiscent of a bolo tie. Notably, her manicure also embraced the theme, with nail artist Miho Okawara creating a French tip design featuring turquoise gemstones commonly associated with western wear.
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Since her first appearance in the western aesthetic, according to Vogue Business, there has been a significant surge in online searches related to cowgirl outfits (up 35%), cowboy outfits (up 30%), western outfits (up 10%), and cowboy boots (up 19%) in the United States over the past few months. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, searches for cowgirl-style outfits have quadrupled, while western outfits have seen an 80% increase in interest. Thus, showcasing Beyoncé’s influence extends far beyond her music, shaping fashion trends and captivating audiences worldwide.
In conclusion, Beyoncé’s influence on fashion is undeniable. From her Renaissance tour to her current western-inspired era, she uses fashion to showcase Black culture and empower artists of colour. Her outfits and collaborations with talented designers have sparked trends and made a lasting impact. Beyoncé seamlessly integrates her music and fashion choices, solidifying her status as a true fashion icon. As fans eagerly await her next move, one thing is certain: Beyoncé will continue to captivate and inspire with her artistry and fashion-forwardness.
Words by Iman Zahid Hafeez – MA Luxury Brand Management student