Activism Through Fashion: Beyoncè & the Black Panthers

Beyoncè, Activist & Fashionista

Beyoncè 50th Annual Superbowl (Via Wikimedia Commons)

Beyoncè Knowles-Carter has been revolutionary in more ways than one. From her own charitable organization #BeyGood to her outspoken viewpoint on life as a black woman in America, Beyoncè can be considered as more than just a musical artist. At the 50th Annual Super Bowl in 2016, Beyoncè, Cold Play, and Bruno Mars performed simultaneously at the highly-watched half-time show. With raised fists and leather outfits, Bey represented the Black Panther Party through song and dance. Just one day before this performance, Beyoncè released her debut single “Formation” from her “Lemonade” album and film.

Bey’s performance featured her and several back-up dancers who were black, wore afros, and dressed in the attire similar to what the Black Panther Party would wear in their heyday of the 60′s. Dancers wore berets, afros and black leather costumes that effortlessly complemented Bey’s costume. In relation to the Black Panther Party, the “formation” of the political activist group was 50 years prior to the 2016 Super Bowl.

In honor of those black activists, Beyoncè paid homage through the release of her song “Formation”, as well as her awe-striking performance for the masses to see. Both Bruno Mars and Beyoncè seemed to have coordinated when it came to aesthetics for their joint performance as they both showed appreciation for black culture and black activism. You can watch their performance here.

“Beyoncés dancers in black berets at #SB50 paying homage to the Black Panthers 50 years after their #formation in ’66 pic.twitter.com/YXpzBkkm6s”

— The Dream Defenders (@Dreamdefenders) February 8, 2016

Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Party (Via Instagram)

Bey’s Stylists

Beyoncè’s style and fashion influence doesn’t come from out of the blue. She has an extensive group of stylists, from hair to makeup and clothing. Bey’s long-time stylist of almost 20 years Ty Hunter can be credited with many of her iconic looks, including the grunge, lioness ensemble from the “Who Run the World” music video. During the 2016 “Lemonade” era, Marni Senofonte joined Bey’s styling team as the new head stylist.

Senofonte has worked with Bey’s styling team since the 2013 “Beyonce,” self-titled era. However, the “Lemonade” era proved to feature some of her greatest looks to date. In an interview with Essence, Senofonte detailed the designers of Bey’s Super Bowl 50 costume as well as the inspiration behind the black magic. When asked of the social connotations related to Bey’s performance, Marni said this:

“It was important to her to honor the beauty of strong Black women and celebrate the unity that fuels their power. One of the best examples of that is the image of the female Black Panther. The women of the Black Panther Party created a sisterhood and worked right alongside their men fighting police brutality and creating community social programs… And they made a fashion statement with natural afros, black leather jackets and black pant suits. That image of women in leadership roles; believing they are a vital part of the struggle is undeniably provocative and served as reference and reality.”

Roc Nation Pre-Grammy Party (Via Instagram)

It’s no secret that Beyoncè will serve a breathtaking fashion look pretty much every time she steps into the public eye. This past weekend at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, Beyoncè was spotted wearing a series of elegant, all black gowns that gave off the essence of pure graciousness and black excellence.

Over the three-day Grammy weekend, Bey wore a series of black ensembles that represented the Black Panther party in a much more elegant way than previously at the Super Bowl. At the Roc Nation party, she wore a long, black, rippled gown with a sleek pair of black shades, similar to something Morpheus would wear in the Matrix. During the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy party, she appeared wearing another long black gown, this one featuring a ruffled skirt and her hair was in a wavy fashion that resembled hairstyles of the 1920′s with a black leather beret to rep those Panthers.

Beyoncè’s Grammy dress finale can be found here on Beyonce‘s site where you’ll be able to see an entire archive of Beyoncè photos. (You’re welcome.)

Besides paying homage to black activists and representing black livelihood, Beyoncè does more than just show and tell her support of the cause. Though representation is one of the first steps into more inclusivity among the masses, it is important to do the work as well. Beyoncè participates in a number of charitable organizations including her very own #BeyGood initiative.

#BeyGood celebrates womanhood, diversity, and overall human decency through relief efforts, charity drives, scholarships and much more. It is beautiful how celebrities like Beyoncè turn their platform into something that can benefit others and give back to the community. Through fashion, representation, and charitable merit, Beyoncè proves that it isn’t impossible to #BeyGood.