Three years ago, when Beyoncé launched Ivy Park, her stans behaved like stans, which is to say: They predictably came in droves to buy pieces of their idol’s first foray into the activewear space.
Beyoncé launched the brand in collaboration with Topshop in April 2016, and it was partially an attempt to reinvigorate the British retailer in the fast fashion sphere. But after two and a half years of co-ownership with Topshop (and in the wake of sexual harassment and racial abuse allegations against Topshop founder Sir Philip Green), the superstar’s private entertainment firm, Parkwood Entertainment, acquired all the reins to Ivy Park in November 2018, making Beyoncé the sole owner.
For a minute, many wondered what the future would hold for Ivy Park, until it was announced today that Beyoncé had found a new collaborator for her sportswear brand: Adidas.
A few days ago, Adidas teased via Instagram that “a new beginning” would be coming on April 4. Every self-respecting member of the Beyhive knows the significance the number four holds for Beyoncé, but for the uninitiated: She married Jay-Z on April 4, 2008, she was born on September 4, 1981, Jay-Z’s last album was titled 4:44, her fourth studio album got the title 4, and even “Ivy” is assumed to represent the Roman numeral IV, which both Beyoncé and Jay-Z have tattooed on their wedding fingers.
The official Adidas press release announcing the partnership established that the collaboration will include products that range “from performance to lifestyle” and will place Beyoncé as “a creative partner for the brand,” with the retailer insisting that “the partnership respects Beyoncé’s ownership of her company, which continues her journey as one of the first black women to be the sole owner of an athleisure brand.” This multilayered affiliation includes not only new signature apparel in collaboration with Ivy Park but the development of signature footwear as well.
So Beyoncé sneakers are coming, and those members of the Beyhive who fancy themselves as sneakerheads will come out of the woodwork. She’ll be following in the footsteps of plenty of musicians who have collaborated with major sneaker brands before her: Kanye West lined up with Adidas; Tyler, the Creator made a shoe with Converse; and even Jay-Z collaborated on a shoe with Reebok called the S. Carter. Of course, Missy Elliot broke the mold in 2004 when she became history’s first female rapper to profit from an athletic apparel endorsement thanks to her signature Adidas line called Respect M.E.
One can only approximate what the new clothing line will look like, but the bee-like black-and-yellow color story on Ivy Park’s Instagram grid might be a hint. Also, one has to wonder: Will one able to play ball in the new Beyoncé shoes, or will they be structured for athleisure?
