NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
At her recent Cowboy Carter tour stop in Paris, global music icon Beyoncé drew attention not only for her performance but also for her striking stage outfit — a custom-designed ensemble by Indian couturier Manish Malhotra, embellished with more than 10,000 Swarovski crystals.
The look, unveiled at the Stade de France, featured a black bodysuit with attached chaps, metallic detailing, and thigh-high boots, reflecting Beyoncé’s country-western theme for the tour. Malhotra’s interpretation brought a distinctly couture element to the Western aesthetic, combining structured design with intricate hand embroidery — a signature of his Mumbai-based atelier.
The collaboration marked a notable moment for Indian fashion on an international platform. Malhotra, a veteran designer with deep roots in Bollywood fashion, is known for his elaborate bridal and red carpet creations. This appearance on Beyoncé’s tour adds to his growing global recognition, placing Indian craftsmanship at the center of a major international pop culture event.
Social media platforms lit up with images and videos of the Paris performance, with fans and fashion commentators praising the fusion of styles. The outfit’s dramatic sparkle under stadium lighting, powered by thousands of crystals, contributed to a high-impact visual experience.
The performance also featured other standout moments, including Beyoncé’s duet with Jay-Z — their first live performance together in several years — adding to the night’s buzz. However, from a fashion perspective, the Paris stop stood out as a milestone for cross-cultural design collaboration.
This is not the first time Beyoncé has worked with South Asian designers. She previously wore Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla for a music video, and her wardrobe frequently includes looks that nod to global influences. The Cowboy Carter tour continues that trend, positioning fashion as an integral part of the storytelling.
The Malhotra-designed outfit in Paris reflects a growing openness in the music and fashion industries to engage with international designers and diverse aesthetic traditions. For Indian fashion, it signals a continued expansion into the global mainstream.
Beyonce in Manish Malhotra/ Photos courtesy: Manish Malhotra/Instagram