Get in ‘Formation’ for Beyoncé’s new Ivy Park clothing line
Queen Bey is broadening her empire once more. The Houston-born singer announced Thursday the creation of Ivy Park, an activewear collection to be available at select high-end stores worldwide beginning April 14.
Beyoncé's line, which will include bodysuits, leggings and headbands, follows the athleisure trend that countless other celebrities (Rihanna with Puma, Kate Hudson’s Fabletics, Calia by Carrie Underwood) have embraced in recent years. It’s a partnership with British businessman Philip Green, who owns the Topshop fashion brand. The collaboration between Green and Beyoncé was first announced in October 2014.
The announcement came via Beyoncés Instagram page, which has more than 65 million followers. She also released a video via the WeAreIvyPark Youtube page revealing a sneak peek of some of the designs.
Ivy Park, named after the artist's daughter and a park in her hometown, will have a total of 200 pieces that cater to varying body shapes. The collection includes T-shirts, crop-tops and jackets, all designed for fitness and leisure. The standouts of the line, however, are the leggings. Created with a signature seaming system, they come in three types -- “I” (low-rise), “V” (mid-rise), and “Y” (high-rise), according to Vogue.
It appears not everyone is necessarily excited for the new line. Activewear brand Lululemon Athletica seems to suggest Ivy Park is a knockoff of itself. The Canadian athletic apparel retailer, in response to a fan comparing the two lines, tweeted: "They do say imitation is the best form of flattery. Maybe Beyonce is so Crazy in Love with our brand, she made her own."
The tweet prompted countless others to attack Lululemon's comments. Though the original tweet has been deleted, the retailer did respond to a number of allegations saying it "never meant any harm."
Nonetheless, Ivy Park will be available at Topshop as well as Nordstrom and Net-a-Porter. According to Nordstrom representatives, prices there will range from $14 (for a headband) to $265 for a bodysuit, and apparel pieces will start at $25. Nordstrom is set to carry the collection in 54 doors nationwide and online at nordstrom.com.
As the Internet adjusts to Beyonce’s latest announcement, it's also dealing with rumors of an impending album coming as early as Friday. Fans, known as the BeyHive, have been preparing for the artist’s return since she surprise-released the track “Formation” just days before her Super Bowl performance with Coldplay and Bruno Mars. Beyonce’s “Formation World Tour” kicks off at the end of April.
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UPDATE
4:22 p.m.: This post was updated with developments about activewear brand Lululemon Athletica's reaction to Ivy Park.
This post was originally published at 3:52 p.m.
