In an impressive homage to the 30th anniversary of Disney’s animated classic, The Lion King, Balmain’s creative director Olivier Rousteing has unleashed a vibrant and magnificent ready-to-wear collection that captures the essence of the film. This new line features everything from zebra-inspired print dresses to graphic T-shirts adorned with illustrations of black leopards, symbolizing the movie’s distinct animal ethos.
Balmain’s Creative Director Olivier Rousteing is belting out a loud roar by designing an expansive ready-to-wear collection thematically tied to the 30th anniversary of Disney’s 1994 animated classic, The Lion King.
A Collaboration with African Artists
The collection also stands out thanks to its unique collaborations with several African artists. South African painters Cassius Khumalo and Nika Mtwana, alongside Cameroonian painter Enfant Precoce, have all lent their talents to the line. They re-envisioned iconic moments from the classic film on pleated dresses, T-shirts, hoodies, and more.
Thirty Years of Roaring Success
Since its release in June 1994, The Lion King has achieved incredible success. It remains the highest-grossing traditionally animated film of all time and has sold more than 7 million copies of its soundtrack. Memorable tracks like “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” sung by Jason Weaver as young Simba, contributed significantly to this milestone. His playful yet proud vocal delivery captured Simba’s youthful ambition perfectly.
The classic scene in ‘The Lion King’ where Simba first meets Timon and Pumbaa
A Reflection on Iconic Music
Jason Weaver’s mother, Kitty Haywood, played a crucial role in securing a financially beneficial deal for her son’s work in The Lion King. Instead of accepting an upfront payment, she smartly negotiated a $100,000 fee plus royalties.
Weaver later expanded on this decision: Disney had a reputation for re-releasing stuff…she [Weaver’s mother] was able to see the playing field and go, ‘Wait a minute, this is going to make a lot of money over time.’
This foresight ensured that Weaver continued to benefit financially well beyond the movie’s initial release period.
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