Through Ivy Park, Beyoncé Knowles has more than proven herself as an astute and savvy fashion designer. The athleisure line, named after the Houston park Knowles exercised at as a kid, has found its stride through a buzzy and lucrative years-long partnership with Adidas that was first announced in 2019. The pairing’s first collection—streetwear in burgundy and tangerine—released in early 2020 to effusive fanfare and quickly sold out. Over time, gender- and size-inclusive collections built around imaginative concepts have arrived: “Ivy Rodeo” (denim chaps, cow-print sports bras); “Ivy Ice” (a faux-fur mink, reflective trousers); “Ivy Heart” (latex dresses and gloves). It was announced, earlier this year, that the partnership will come to a close. Still, in a short period of time, Adidas x Ivy Park has raised the bar for celebrity-led fashion ventures.
But it takes a considerable team of trained hands and creative minds to make each collection happen. Ivy Park x Adidas is the result of careful and considered collaboration between Parkwood Entertainment, Beyoncé’s media and management company, and the multi-billion, multi-national behemoth that is Adidas. Ruben Gonzalez, a senior designer at Adidas, is responsible for bridging both worlds. The Los Angeles-based, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising-trained designer played a key role in the creation and production of Ivy Park’s latest collection, Ivy Paradise.
Released online and in-store last week, the clothes read as a fabulous ode to Studio 54 through fringe jackets, crystal mesh, and short-shorts. And everything was made in a poppy shade of fuschia. (“That color was a challenge,” the designer shared.) Gonzalez says of his shape-shifting, multi-pronged role in the collection, “It is basically taking the partner’s vision— everything comes from the partner, of course— and sort of taking that and references and creating sort of a visual moodboard to present.” The work does not end there. “Then we’ll create so many looks based on that for the partner and her team to decide what they want the actual collection to look like.”
The collection has certainly made an impact. Ever the smart promoter, Beyoncé, along with her backup dancers, wore looks from the Ivy Paradise drop for the Renaissance’s show in Amsterdam on Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the emancipation of US slaves. The singer wore a double-slit dress and sparkly opera gloves that would have been perfect for a performance of “Freakum Dress” (missed opportunity). The specific look did not go to all stores—it is available only in Brazil—but represented a bonafide moment for Ivy Park.
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