Balmain's 'The Lion King' Collab Is Roaring
Balmain's Creative Director Olivier Rousteing is belting out a loud roar by designing an expansive ready-to-wear collection thematically tied to the 30th anniversary of Disney's 1994 animated classic, The Lion King.
"The Lion King's powerful storytelling, vibrant characters, and majestic scenery are ripe for a beautiful high-fashion interpretation," Rousteing told Highsnobiety. "From the first time I saw the Lion King when I was nine years old, I have felt a parallel, as an adopted child, to the solitary lion cub constructing his own unique and chosen family, while searching for truth about his heritage."
Who can ever forget the first time they watched The Lion King? It's an animated tale for the ages that reminds us that, against all odds, we can find family in the most unexpected places. That poignant plot point within the film deeply resonated with Rousteing, who angled the collection towards his own personal history and his Somalian and Ethiopian heritage.
"[Simba's] journey from a cub to a king resonates deeply with me personally and reflects the spirit of resilience and heritage that I love to celebrate through my designs for Balmain," Rousteing tells Highsnobiety.
Balmain's DNA and passion for Parisian couture isn't compromised by a collaboration with a Disney film that's been featured on more school lunch boxes rather than luxurious sequin dresses.
Instead it tastefully informs a collection that celebrates the cultural richness of Africa.
The line includes everything from zebra-inspired print dresses to graphic T-shirts bearing illustrations of black leopards.
An array of African artists were also tapped created unique art for the line. South African painters Cassius Khumalo and Nika Mtwana, alongside the Cameroonian painter Enfant Precoce, re-envisioned iconic moments from the classic film that were placed on pleated dresses, T-shirts, hoodies, and more.
Before you ask, no, there isn't any piece the captures the bestie ballad that is "Hakuna Matata."
There is however, some insanely tough accessories, like an iced-out Rafiki necklace.
The collection's campaign video was directed by Femi Oladigbolu, shot in South Africa's Western Cape province, and features over 30 African models.
The video will be screened during the July 5th showing of "The Lion King In Concert" at London's Royal Albert Hall.
While there's no word of North West appearing on stage again in ERL's shearling Simba costume, what one can actually expect on July 5 is a film that celebrates Rousteing authentic connection to The Lion King and his own African heritage.
"We traveled to Africa to shoot the beautiful campaign and it was a dream come true," Rousteing shares with Highsnobiety. "After years of study, celebration and love for Africa’s wide array of cultures, landscapes and artistic traditions, to be there with the amazing Balmain and Disney teams in celebration of this labor of love was a true honor."
Balmain's collaboration with The Lion King releases July 8 on Balmain's website, Balmain stores, and some Balmain stockists. And if you need any advice on how to channel the vibe, take some cues from the Bey-hive.
"I would love to style Nala. Her strength and grace evoke a vision of contemporary elegance rooted in African heritage," declares Rousteing. "It is an easy choice especially with Beyoncé, a long-time muse of mine, voicing Nala in the live action films."
