Beyoncé's Ivy Park Rodeo Drop Tells History of Black Cowboys Past and Present

Adidas has teamed up with Beyoncé for her fourth Ivy Park capsule collection, made primarily of denim. AOC is praying against our research odds that the major denim drop Adidas x Ivy Park uses sustainable denim. Called Ivy Park Rodeo, the collection consists of 58 women’s and unisex apparel pieces, five shoes and 13 accessories — all designed as reimagined and modernized takes on classic Western wear.

If the collection has any sustainable credentials, they have not been mentioned in the press release. WWD shares very specific information about the denim, and there is no mention of any sustainable credentials. We are shocked, if this is true.

AOC has received positive compliments from adidas regarding our ongoing coverage of their sustainable developments in the activewear collections of the mother brand. Therefore, it’s easy enough for me to reach out to my press contact at adidas to confirm the particulars of the new Ivy Park Rodeo collection.

At the least, they could have created a small group of pieces made of sustainable denim at higher prices for people who care about our planet being in such dire trouble. Let’s hope my common sense radar is wrong on this topic.

If Beyoncé and adidas together don’t care about climate change — well then, we’re just cooked. Literally. A devastating climate change report was issued today, Aug. 9 by the UN. : World’s climate scientists to issue stark warning over global heating threat The Guardian

The Ivy Park Rodeo collection is heavily rooted in denim and will offer up dark washes with distinct monograms and purple glow cow prints accented with utilitarian-inspired zips and snap fasteners. There will be a denim body suit, a wide-leg snap pant, tracksuit, bucket hat and, yes, chaps.

Fabrics will include 100 percent 16.5-ounce blue twill denim, 99 percent cotton/1 percent elastane 10.8-ounce denim and 100 percent cotton 13 –ounce cow-print cotton twill denim.

There is even an IVP Ultraboost sneaker that mimics the look of denim.

Stars of the Ivy Park Rodeo collection include Beyoncé, top model Paloma Elsesser, singer and songwriter Snoh Aalegra, musicians family Tobe, Fat And Nell Nwigwe, rapper Monaleo, and country artist Orville Peck. Marni Senofonte styles the shoot for images by Daniel Sannwald [IG].

On the topic of our planet on fire and the fashion industry flaunting the dire warnings of climate scientists, Queen Bey brings plenty of roaring fire to her Ivy Park Rodeo campaign video

The collection is available from August 19th at adidas.com/ivypark. After a 24 hrs. global exclusive, the collection will debut worldwide on August 20.

In recent years, brands and media both have focused on the history of Black cowboys and cowgirls in Compton and also stories of urban cowboys and riding academies.

The use of equestrian culture to positively influence inner-city youth and combat negative racial stereotypes in Compton, Calif., resulted in the Compton Cowboys being featured in a Tommy Hilfiger campaign. The group also created a collection with Ariat, a Western brand.

AOC first wrote about Black cowboys and Black equestrians in urban settings, with the 2019 Ralph Lauren Polo campaign. A second article on Philly’s urban cowboys will be up Tuesday.

We will use the occasion of the Ivy Park Rodeo Adidas drop to feature articles on the American history of Black cowboys and cowgirls.