Beyoncé says in her latest interview that her upcoming collection from her Adidas x Ivy Park partnership, Ivy Park Rodeo, is an ode to the often overlooked contributions of Black Americans to the Western frontier.
KEY FACTS
Almost 60 pieces consisting of denim pieces, cow print and more are to be released from the upcoming collection that goes for sale on Aug. 19.
A campaign video was released Friday featuring the singer’s own mother Tina Knowles Lawson, Houston rapper Tobe Nwigwe, singer Snoh Aalegra, actor and real-life cowboy Glynn Turman, among others.
According to Forbes, the singer’s net worth is $440M as she ranks #73 on the 2021 America’s Self-Made Women’s List.
KEY QUOTE
Beyoncé said in an interview with the Houston Chronicle that she was inspired by “how much of the Black, brown and Native cowboy stories are missing in American history,” and that “I am proud to represent Houston culture, my roots and all the people who understand fried Snickers and fried turkey legs.”
TANGENT
Black cowboys made up about one in four of cowboys, at a time when men of color during the post-Civil War era had few job opportunities, according to African American history scholar William Loren Katz. From husband Jay-Z producing the real-life cowboys film “The Harder They Fall,” to sister Solange’s homage to Black cowboys on her 2019 LP When I Get Home, Beyoncé’s family has a history of spotlighting the culture. She speaks of attending the Houston Rodeo while growing up in the area, where she saw artists like Selena, Frankie Beverly and more.
KEY BACKGROUND
The iconic singer released her first collection from the Ivy Park athleisure brand in 2016 as part of a joint venture alongside Topshop’s Sir Phillip Green, but the partnership came to an end in 2018 amidst sexual assault allegations against Green, leading to Beyoncé buy out his ownership of Ivy Park. She landed a deal with Adidas in 2019 to relaunch the brand. Eventually, she released her first collection through the partnership in January 2020, when the collection sold out almost instantly. Since then, she has dropped four other collections with Adidas that include clothes, shoes and accessories.
FURTHER READING
Exclusive: Beyoncé announces clothing line inspired by Black cowboys, Houston Rodeo memories (Houston Chronicle)
Article from: Forbes.com by Jair Hilburn
