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Beyoncé’s Final Frontier with her Adidas x IVY Park collection tells the often-forgotten story of black cowboys and cowgirls.
The native Houston superstar, who donned cowboy boots and fringes for the Houston rodeo as a child, uses her brand of athleisure to honor black Americans who helped create cow legacy – American boys and the western border. With this collection, like much of her art, she continues to use her talent to raise social awareness and educate.
In an exclusive statement to the Houston Chronicle, Beyoncé said, “The Houston Rodeo is a gumbo of family, connection, delicious food and eclectic musical genres. I grew up seeing artists like Selena and Frankie Beverly and Maze and today it’s just as eclectic with artists like Kacey Musgraves or Mary J. Blige. I remember the hike, with people from all over at the Houston Rodeo. “
Her new IVY Park Rodeo collection, which goes on sale August 19 at adidas.com/us/ivypark and in select Adidas stores, includes nearly 60 pieces and features Houston rappers Tobe Nwigwe and Monaleo, Beyoncé’s mother Tina. Knowles Lawson, and actor and real cowboy Glynn Turman in the glossy campaign. The collection merges fashion with western tradition and features buckles, leggings and a cow print in an unexpected mix of purple and brown. There are wide leg denim pants and bodysuits, a denim tracksuit and bob, a canvas fanny pack, and even a cowboy hat, among other pieces.
“After realizing where the word ‘cowboy’ came from, I realized how much of American history there is a lack of black, brown and native cowboy stories,” Beyoncé said. “I am proud to represent the culture of Houston, my roots, and everyone who understands Fried Snickers and Fried Turkey Thighs.”
Nwigwe, who is from Houston and studied fashion merchandising at the University of North Texas, said he was honored to be chosen by the superstar to be part of his new collection.
“She’s a fan of what we do and she really wanted us to be a part of what she does. It was an extremely important occasion, ”Nwigwe said in an interview at Gatlin’s barbecue. He arrived dressed in an IVY Park Rodeo sweatshirt and shorts in an ambient blush color, which he said complemented ‘dark chocolate’ skin tones like his. The rapper will make his big-screen debut in “Transformers: Rise of the Beast” next summer and is also on the Emmy nominated team for Outstanding Publicity of “You Love Me” for Beats by Dre. He recounts the two-minute ad, released late last year.
Although Nwigwe said he learned little about black cowboys and cowgirls in school, he recalls seeing black men on horseback on the streets of Fifth Ward.
“I never really saw black cowboys in action, except in Fifth Ward. I always wanted to know where they kept the horses, ”he said. “I’ve ridden a couple of times, but I’m strong. I’m not Indiana Jones, but I can maneuver.
Although black cowboys are often absent from popular Western narrative, historians estimate that one in four cowboys was black in the early 19th century. Being a cowboy was one of the few jobs open to men of color after the Civil War, according to William Loren Katz, African American history scholar and author of “The Black West.”
Today, their influence can be seen in the rodeo circuit and even in Hollywood, with films like Netflix’s “Concrete Cowboy” starring Idris Elba. In addition, black cowboys and cowgirls across the country have joined the protests for racial justice.
Paying homage to black history runs deep in Beyoncé’s family. Her sister, Solange Knowles, celebrated black cowboys with her 2019 album “When I Get Home”, and Jay-Z, who is married to Beyoncé, is producing the upcoming movie “The Harder They Fall” with the actress. Oscar winner Regina King and Elba, based on actual cowboys and historical figures from the American West, including Bill Pickett, Stagecoach Mary and Cherokee Bill.
Knowles Lawson said rodeo culture was an integral part of his childhood in Galveston.
“When I was a kid we went to the Huntsville Jail rodeos at the Houston Rodeo, but learning about the West and how it was built black cowboys are left out of this story. So just seeing them being recognized when we know how important they’ve played and how many black cowboys there really are warms my heart, ”said Knowles Lawson, who recruited his friend. Turman to be part of the IVY Park Rodeo campaign.
Turman, the Emmy-winning actor who recently starred in “My Rainey’s Black Bottom” with the late Chadwick Bosman, is an advocate for black rodeo culture and history. He also has a non-profit organization that runs a horseback riding and outdoor camp for kids from downtown communities at his California ranch.
“I had offered Beyoncé the use of my ranch at all times, but I was surprised and flattered that she wanted to include not only my ranch, but also me and my beautiful granddaughter, Melinda, who rides to horse since she was little, ”said Turman. .
“Black cowboys have played such an important role in the building of the West and the legacy of cowboy history. But like other aspects of the building of this country, we were not included in the story. It is therefore such a joy to see that they are finally honored and recognized for their contribution to the history of the cowboy. “
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