Check Out All of the Black Designers Featured in Beyonce’s ‘Black is King’ Special

See some of the Black designers featured in Beyonce’s Black Is King special on Disney+.

Beyonce Knowles-Carter has always used her platform to uplift and spotlight Black talent, including designers, stylists, artists, and other creatives. To accompany her 2019 The Lion King: The Gift soundtrack for the remade film, Black Is King centers around a young boy’s journey and growth to adulthood. The visual album encompasses all different aspects of the African diaspora, ranging from South Africa, West Africa, Europe, New York, and L.A.

Mrs. Carter also utilized the heavy emotions from the coronavirus epidemic to encourage her fans and other viewers to “see the beauty and resilience” of Black people. “The events of 2020 have made the film’s vision and message even more relevant, as people across the world embark on a historic journey. We are all in search of safety and light. Many of us want change,” said Beyoncé on Instagram. “I believe that when Black people tell our own stories, we can shift the axis of the world and tell our REAL history of generational wealth and richness of soul that are not told in our history books.”

Even though well-known designers like Balmain, Valentino, and Burberry were presented, there were more independent and smaller designers covered too. According to The Cut and curated by Beyonce’s longtime stylist Zerina Akers, here are some of the independent Black designers from the special.

D.Bleu.Dazzled

Specializing in custom crystallized hosiery and lingerie, D.Bleu. Dazzled founder, Destiney Bleu, has worked with Beyonce for her Formation Tour, as well as other artists. Beyonce’s diamond-infused bodysuit is the first you see in the first few minutes of Black is King. 

Lace by Tanaya

Tanaya designed Beyonce’s custom-made fringe dress last year, and she’s so excited to see it in full fruition.

L’Enchanteur

Some of the large jewelry pieces were made by identical-twin designers, Dynasty and Soull Ogun. The siblings hope to bring “timeless inspirations of spirituality” throughout their work.

Lafalaise Dion

Dion uses African spirituality and the roots of the cowry shell to inspire Black Africans to “reconcile with our heritage and reclaim our culture; our spirituality, our gods and embrace it,” according to the designer’s biography. “Our history, we must write it for ourselves. Therefore, I write mine, that of my people through my creations.”

Selam Fessahaye

Swedish-Eritrean costume designer Selam Fessahaye created this yellow ruffled dress from her first ready-to-wear collection, which launched back in August 2018.

Adama Paris

Senegalese designer, Adama Amanda Ndiaye, is the founder of the brand Adama Paris. Also the founder of Dakar Fashion Week, Ndiaye hopes her work “promotes female entrepreneurship in Senegal and Africa.”

Simon Hartman

Melissa Simon-Hartman is a fashion and costume designer born in London. She has Trinidadian and Ghanaian heritage, which inspires her own work for her company, Simon Hartman. One work was featured as Beyonce’s black Queen Chess piece in the “Mood 4 Eva”.

Duckie Confetti

Who would have thought to create money-printed pajamas? Only Duckie Confetti. This pajama set was once made for sale on Beyonce’s online store, which sold out just as fast. Confetti is usually known for his dramatic, theatrical looks; he also has worked with Teyana Taylor.

S. Garvey

Beyonce selected the Brooklyn-based designer Sam Garvey for custom-made floral bodysuits made for her and her backup dancers. “For all the confusing times when I wanted to give up…the late nights & early mornings, working through physical pain, spending all my coins on my craft, made it all worthwhile, but this is JUST the beginning. I’ll call it a rebirth!” Garvey gushed on Instagram.

Levenity

Designer, Venny Etienne, was a Project Runway contestant on season 17. His Haitian culture, current home in Dallas, and his hometown in Brooklyn are incredible inspirations for his pieces made for Beyonce.

5:31 Jérôme

After working for designers, Kimora Lee Simmons and Ralph Rucci, Jerome Lamaar initiated 5:31 Jérôme in 2013. He creates a space where spirituality and magic meet glamour, maximalism, and streetwear. They are combined throughout the Nigerian lace trench coat-dress piece seen below.

Déviant La Vie

Founded by Brittany Duet and her partner, Murph, their rope dress visages are inspired by servitude and bondage. “One day after our fashion show Zerina Akers sent her team to pretty much grab the whole collection from us,” the company stated, “Seeing our work styled perfectly in Black Is King is next level. 2020 has been one to remember.”

Loza Maléombho

Based in Côte d’Ivoire, Maléombho is a West African designer who made a black and white patterned jacket for Queen Bey enhanced with daring gold buttons.

Beyonce’s collaborations with these Black designers are a constant reminder for aspiring creatives to keep working hard; it will surely pay off in the long run.