Balmain‘s creative director, Olivier Rousteing, has collaborated with Disney, creating an extensive collection dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the 1994 animated classic, The Lion King.
The limited edition collection features a series of ready-to-wear garments and accessories for men and women with striking designs based directly on the acclaimed Disney story.
The line marks the first collaboration between Disney and the historic French fashion house and masterfully reflects the themes and unforgettable cast of characters that distinguish Disney’s “The Lion King.”
The fascinating African motifs, intricate embroidery and folkloristic silhouettes were undoubtedly a source of inspiration for the Balmain design team who worked on this collection.
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“Working on this collaboration was a dream come true,” Rousteingin said in an interview. “I was only nine years old when “The Lion King” was first released, but still today, almost three decades later, I only need to close my eyes to replay that incredible mix of music, images and emotions. The lessons that I absorbed, as I sat, absolutely transfixed by what was happening on the giant screen in front of me, have remained with me for my entire life. 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.”
The collection is full of incredibly themed items in full Balmain style, from zebra-inspired printed dresses to graphic T-shirts with animal illustrations.
A number of emerging African artists are also involved and created unique works of art for the line. South African painters Cassius Khumalo and Nika Mtwana, along with Cameroonian painter Enfant Precoce, have revisited iconic moments from the classic film which have been applied to pleated dresses, T-shirts, hoodies and other garments.
The collection is presented in a short film produced by Disney and directed by Femi Oladigbolu, in collaboration with Balmain. Filmed in several locations in the Western Cape province of South Africa, the film brings back the amazing beauty of African nature and landscapes that blend with the collection’s striking silhouettes, patterns and colours.
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The short movie is also representative of the personal experience of Rousteing, who at the head of an army of 30 models from all over Africa, makes his way through breathtaking landscapes, narrating a journey destined to end with a joyful celebration of returning home.
