Olivier Rousteing Partnered With Emerging African Talents for the Film’s 30th Anniversary
On the occasion of the film’s 30th anniversary, Balmain has announced a special capsule collection in celebration of and collaboration with The Lion King.
Rousteing shared his inspiration for the collection, stating, “I wanted to approach it in a couture way,” highlighting the craftsmanship from Africa and Balmain’s Paris ateliers. Drawing parallels between his life and Simba’s journey, he emphasized the importance of choosing one’s path and learning from the past.
For this collaboration, Rousteing worked with emerging African talents to showcase the strength and future of Africa. The campaign was shot in a desert near Cape Town, where he felt a spiritual connection to the country and was hailed as an inspirational figure by the local team and models.
This collaboration comes amidst other The Lion King celebratory projects, including a prequel and a concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Rousteing expressed the significance of this project in France, highlighting the diversity and inclusivity of the country during a politically charged time.
Disney Consumer Products president, Tasia Filippatos, praised the collaboration, stating, “The collection is deeply rooted in the story of The Lion King, and Olivier’s understanding of the film’s emotional and visual impact served as the driving force behind what we created together.”
The collaborative collection is set to launch July 8.
