Outfit Inspirations from Beyoncé’s Lemonade
Beyoncé’s Lemonade is a visual masterpiece that connects her songs with imagery, poetry, and a call for change. Throughout the album, she models almost 30 different outfits that help portray the message of the song. Her outfits in “Hold Up” and “Freedom” are very unique; therefore, similar pieces have been linked for a more attainable everyday look.
“Hold Up”
In “Hold Up,” Beyoncé insinuates that she has been cheated on by her husband. She has seen the signs of cheating and is doubting herself. The yellow dress in the music video flows freely with her throughout the streets of New Orleans. This song is empowering; however, bell hooks offered negative comments. The article argues that “She dons a magnificently designed golden yellow gown, boldly struts through the street with baseball bat in hand, randomly smashing cars. In this scene, the goddess-like character of Beyoncé is sexualized along with her acts of emotional violence…she destroys with no shame. Among the many mixed messages embedded in Lemonade is this celebration of rage.” However, a different critical analysis of the song argues that “Beyoncé’s dress isn’t figure flattering to cater to the male gaze — its direct homage to Yoruba Goddess Oshun.” Her golden yellow outfit offsets the dull city streets that she has conquered. This could potentially allude that she can shine through the difficult situation of infidelity. This song embodies her message of female empowerment because she is able to show that like everyone else, she also faces hardships. As a part of her story, she displays that anger is a part of healing and being human.
“Freedom”
In her song, “Freedom,” Beyoncé is seen on a stage in a white gown singing. The dress is very simple and looks pure, but her lyrics are a call to action. Throughout the song, Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé cover racism and injustices rooted in slavery in the United States. Her message seems to state that we will overcome, and freedom from oppression is within reach. She establishes a need for change by saying “Freedom! Freedom! I can’t move / Freedom, cut me loose! / Singin’, freedom! Freedom! Where are you? / Cause I need freedom too!” She is trying to transform the world using her platform and fame. In Audre Lorde’s article, “The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action,” she believes in the importance of promoting change through something as simple as speaking up for ourselves. In the article, she encourages her readers by saying that “Your Silence will not protect you…If I were to have been born mute, or had maintained an oath of silence my whole life long for safety, I would have still suffered, and I would still die.” Afraid of keeping issues silent, Beyoncé bluntly acknowledges the oppression that African Americans have faced throughout history in Lemonade. Although Lemonade is a piece of art, Carol Vernallis explains in an article that Lemonade is more than just an album about her marriage, “but it is equally about African American history. It’s a call to action.”
