Can you feel the love tonight? Today marks the official unveiling of Balmain’s collaboration with Disney, celebrating 30 years of “The Lion King.” For Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing — whose work you may recall from Margot Robbie’s pink-filled “Barbie” press tour — the collection was an opportunity to delve into his own treasured memories of seeing the film as a kid, while exploring the rich cultural roots of the film’s African setting. “I was only 9 years old when ‘The Lion King’ was first released,” recalled Rousteing, “but still today, almost three decades later, I only need to close my eyes to replay that incredible mix of music, images and emotions.
” In addition to the auspicious anniversary, the collection also arrives months before the December release of “Mufasa: The Lion King.” So it’s the perfect time to collaborate with a fashion house known for honoring its own abundant archive — dating back to 1945 — while keeping an eye toward the future. Enlisting three African designers to create bespoke designs for the collection, Rousteing brought the timeless story to life in an array of ready-to-wear and couture pieces.
Cameroonian painter Enfant Précoce contributed lively scenes of protagonist Simba exploring the world alongside “The Lion King’s” zoological supporting characters, available in colorful and black-and-white renderings. An Afrofuturistic portrait — the work of South African painter Nika Mtwanan —.