Beyoncé Pays Tribute to Olympic Track Star
She’s already wowed with her first costume, dressing up as 90s R&B icon Toni Braxton. And now Beyoncé has unveiled her second Halloween outfit of 2018, with the design boasting a significant link to the region. The superstar singer paid tribute to American athlete Florence Griffith–Joyner for the holiday, emulating the track and field legend’s outfit from her 1988 Olympic trials. The one-legged unitard was what the athlete – known as FloJo – wore as she set a new world record in the 100-meter sprint, before she went on to dominate her categories at the Summer Olympics.
The two-tone creation was imagined by Death by Dolls, the label founded by Sara Al-Saud, a LA-based designer born to Saudi Arabian parents in London. The custom outfit, crafted in bold Eighties hues, was paired with a flowing wig by the Lemonade star’s stylist, Zerina Akers. “The Olympian brought the most amazing style to the track,” added Akers, as she shared an image of Beyoncé in her outfit. Death by Dolls also shared a shot of the singer, thanking “everyone that worked so tirelessly to make it happen.”
The sartorial tribute caught the attention of Mary Joyner, the daughter of the three-time Olympic gold medalist FloJo, who unexpectedly passed away in 1998 at the age of 38. “Thank you for giving my mom the recognition, paying the homage, and keeping my mother’s memory alive,” the signer captioned a picture of Beyoncé. “My mother is resting in paradise smiling.” Complementing his wife’s sports-inspired outfit, rapper Jay-Z donned a wardrobe tribute to American track and field athlete Tommie Smith.
Beyoncé certainly isn’t the first A-listed that Death by Dolls has dressed, having been worn by stars such as Rita Ora, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Lopez, and Kylie Jenner. “Growing up in London – one of the fashion capitals of the world – and being of Saudi origin, where fashion has always been the staple of any social gathering or event, have definitely inspired my aesthetic,” Al-Saud told Vogue.me last year. “Being in the presence of some of the most inspirational, elegant, and sophisticated women has put me on a constant quest to find beauty in the most unexpected places.”