Only Beyoncè could make denim chaps this fashionable.
In her latest collaboration with Adidas, which she calls Ivy Park Rodeo, the Houston native infuses her cultural upbringing of Black cowboy culture into her highly sought after athleisure line. The official press release described the collection as a celebration of the “oft-hidden history of Black pioneers within cowboy and cowgirl culture and their continued influence and impact on the American rodeo.”
“Most people don’t realize that Black cowboys made up about one-fourth of the cowboy population,” said Harry Robinson Jr., founder and president of Dallas’ African American Museum in an interview with KERA. According to Robinson, African Americans were the first to use the term ‘cowboy’. For over 30 years, the museum has sponsored the Texas Black Invitational Rodeo in Fair Park to keep Black cowboy culture alive.
The rodeo provides an opportunity for Ke’Elronn Hatley to bond with his son Ka’El about their family traditions. Hatley descends from the first Black family to race Texas quarter horses in the state. The South Oak Cliff native owns a family ranch outside of Dallas city limits.
Days before the announcement, the official Ivy Park Instagram account posed videos of MelJulie Sigel and her grandfather, the Emmy-winning actor Glynn Turman, dressed in the Western-inspired line. The grandfather and granddaughter spoke about familial memories of the Black Bill Picket Rodeo (named after the Taylor, Texas native) in Los Angeles, numerous awards in rodeo competitions, and Camp Gid D Up, their western summer camp for at risk youth.
The official announcement features Julian Jacob Alamillo and Emily Diana Alba, two award-winning Latinx ropers. Alamillo, a fourth generation “Charro” (Mexican cowboy), and Alba reflect the collection’s intention to uplift Black and Latinx contributions to contemporary cowboy culture.
The campaign also includes a roster of Houston’s hottest artists, Tobe Nwigwe and our editor’s favorite Monaleo. Kaash Paige proudly represented Dallas in the last campaign, so we’re not mad.
My eyes are on the neon purple cow print ensemble. The collection releases just in time for Cowboys season and the State Fair of Texas. Grab your dark denim Ivy Park bodysuit to celebrate the boys at Jerry’s World. Cop a French terry hoodie for a chilly night at the Fair as you munch on the latest’s selection of fried foods.
For me, I’ll be harassing my coworkers in Teams on release day.