Beyonce wears piece by Saudi designer in ‘Black is King’

The ornate design took 70 hours to craft and incorporates exotic bird feathers

Beyonce wears a design by Saudi designer Mohamed Ashi. Instagram / Ashi Studio

Beyonce's Black is King film and visual album was released this weekend. As well as being a musical showstopper, it is a feast for the eyes, with lots of conversation-sparking fashion choices.

One of the looks that Beyonce dons in the film is by Saudi Arabian designer Mohammed Ashi, of Beirut-based brand, Ashi Studio.

The designer took to Instagram to share details of the work and passion that went into the black feathered piece, which Beyonce wore to perform the song My Power. 

"Beyonce's Black is King film is an ode to the Black Lives Matter movement, advocating and supporting black lives and women," Ashi Studio's Instagram page reads.

Ashi revealed that the piece was handmade and "took 70 hours of work".

"The look incorporated exotic bird feathers, placed one by one on the bodice for this film that has a powerful impact in the world."

Beyonce was styled by costume designer and stylist Zerina Akers for the project.

Black is King is billed as a companion to Beyonce's 2019 album inspired by Disney's live-action remake of The Lion King.

It runs for one hour and 25 minutes and tells the story of a young African king who is cast out from his family and must navigate his own path as he embarks on a journey that takes him through "betrayal, love and self-identity".

Celebrities wearing Ashi Studio

This is not the first time Beyonce has worn a piece by Ashi Studio.

In December 2018, she wore a sculpted fuchsia gown by the brand to perform at the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela at 100 event in Johannesburg.

The statement dress had previously been worn by actress Deepika Padukone at the Cannes Film Festival in 2018, while Cardi B wore a white version for the 2018 Grammy Awards.

Jennifer Hudson, Heidi Klum and Tracee Ellis Ross have all also sported the brand in the past.

Notably, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wore a piece by Ashi Studio at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, and Amal Clooney's mother, Baria Alamuddin, wore a dress by the label for her daughter's 2014 wedding to George Clooney.

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