30 years of “The Lion King”: Olivier Rousteing writes a love letter to Africa with the Disney x Balmain collection

In a remarkable fusion of fashion and storytelling, Balmain’s Olivier Rousteing has teamed up with Disney Consumer Products to create an exclusive, stunning couture collection inspired by Disney’s timeless classic, The Lion King.

The collaboration between Disney and Balmain not only celebrates the 30th anniversary of the popular film, but is also a love letter to the roots of the renowned French fashion designer.

Rousteing and Balmain invited ABC’s On the Red Carpet Storytellers Spotlight to South Africa to share the story behind his creation, his love of storytelling, the dream collaboration with Disney and the importance of using his platform to be a voice of change so that all “beauties” can be seen.

“As a child, I always wanted to raise my voice,” said Rousteing, reflecting on his childhood. “Sometimes my silence was already a storyteller.”

While sketching superheroes in his bedroom, he dreamed of characters with the power to change the world, which eventually led him to imagine his sketches as fashion.

“I don’t just sketch clothes, I sketch a universe,” he said.

Rousteing’s journey is deeply rooted in his search for his origins. He grew up in France with adoptive parents, faced racism and was desperate to find out where he came from.

“It’s really hard to look to the future when you don’t know your past,” he reflected.

Discovering his African heritage was a life-changing and proud moment and inspired the creative visionary to incorporate his cultural roots into his work.

Even as a child, Disney played a crucial role in his love of storytelling.

He was particularly fascinated by the story of “The Lion King” and it caught the attention of Disney executives.

When they were looking for creative ways to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film, they thought of creating an exclusive collection.

Inspired by Rousteing’s journey and the way he drew parallels between his life and Simba’s journey of self-discovery, Disney Consumer Products knew that partnering with the designer would add a high level of authenticity to a collection.

“We wanted to bring Olivier’s journey and the impact Simba had on him to life with this incredible line of products,” said Joss Hastings, vice president of global marketing for Disney Consumer Products. “Rich in bright colors and intricate designs, the collection pays homage to African heritage and the timeless story of ‘The Lion King.'”

To stay true to their vision of authenticity, both the Disney Consumer Products team and Balmain decided to shoot the campaign on the African continent, specifically in South Africa, which offers a wide range of stunning landscapes.

Rousteing was inspired by the natural colors of Africa and stayed true to the designs by using natural materials such as raffia and thread embroidery.

“You will recognize the importance of a love letter to Africa,” said Rousteing, who has collaborated with many African artists to bring authentic, cultural elements into the couture pieces. Creatives he has worked with include South African artists Nika Mtwana and Cassius Khumalo.

“The addition of Nika and Cassius is a true testament to Olivier’s commitment to inclusivity,” said Carmen Jean Smith, senior vice president of creative development at Disney. “He is known for challenging the fashion industry’s traditional narrow standards. His collaboration with Disney expands that vision, celebrating diversity and giving a platform to underrepresented voices.”

Smith praised Rousteing for all his efforts in this area and stressed that Disney and Balmain share the same values ​​and vision.

“It’s really about how do we create space,” Smith said. “How do we create opportunities?”

The impact of this collaboration goes beyond the stunning aesthetics. It includes emotional behind-the-scenes stories, like that of young model Djemime Chochi, who was moved to tears when she saw Rousteing on set. She told us that Rousteing is a true icon and that she has been following his story.

Rousteing was touched when she told him that his story of origin and his journey to discover his African roots had inspired her, as she too did not know her father.

“It goes beyond fashion, it goes beyond clothes, it goes beyond colors. It’s all about emotions,” Rousteing said.

Olivier Rousteing and Balmain’s collaboration with Disney highlights the transformative power of storytelling, fashion and cultural heritage. By bringing his unique vision and celebrating his African roots with the timeless magic of The Lion King, Rousteing not only created a stunning couture collection, but also delivered a powerful message of hope, resilience and inclusivity.

The renowned designer summed it up best: “Even though I don’t really know where I come from, I want to leave my mark on this planet.”

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