ICYMI: Beyoncé and Balmain Release Line to Support HBCUs

By Sameer Rao Jul 16, 2018

While you can’t yet pledge Beyoncé’s BAK sorority, she and Balmain made it easier to rock its letters and support Black aspiring students.

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As Ebony reported last Wednesday (July 11), the music superstar and French fashion house released a limited run of the lettered attire from her historic Coachella performance. Queen Bey channeled the ceremony and aesthetics of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) throughout her set—Coachella’s first-ever headlining gig by a Black woman. That included several pieces of collegiate attire, emblazoned with "BAK" in tribute to Black sororities and fraternities. They were designed by Olivier Rousteing, Balmain’s first Black creative director. 

Ebony noted that the collection debuted for sale at Balmain’s flagship store in Paris on July 13, before going online at Balmain.com and Beyonce.com the next day. All proceeds from the collaboration, whose pieces cost between $295 and $895, support the United Negro College Fund and its goal to put more Black students through university. 

"This collection of hoodies and tees, based on key designs from our Coachella efforts, responds to our need to repay an obvious debt for the inspiration we received from the signature spirit and legacy of America’s historically black colleges and universities," Rousteing told press.

This collection marks Beyoncé’s latest effort to support Black collegiate achievement. She announced the Homecoming Scholars Award Program, which offers $100,000 in scholarships to students at select HBCUs, back in April 16.