Ty Hunter, Beyoncé's stylist, was working at a boutique in Houston when he first met Beyoncé’s mother, Miss Tina, then on the hunt for outfits for Destiny’s Child. That was back in 1998. Hundreds of red carpet outfits and tour dates later, Hunter has seen Beyoncé blossom into a grown woman—and a fashion icon. Here, he discusses the best stage looks from her eye-popping extravaganza, the Mrs. Carter Show World Tour.
"The opening look in Louisville, Ky, for the 100th show of the tour. When we started planning for the Mrs. Carter Show, we had a meeting about the designers Beyoncé wanted to work with. Dsquared2 actually sent this suit as a red carpet option for the Grammys. We went for something else, but we always kept this outfit in mind. It's embellished with Swarovski crystals in an antique gold color. The shoes are by Stuart Weitzman."
(Photo: Rob Hoffman for Parkwood Entertainment)
"Versace sent us some sketches, and Beyoncé loved all the costumes. This one was one of Beyoncé's favorite, a jacket with 'Bow Down' and the number 4 written on the back. She wore it to open her Birmingham show."
(Left: Robin Harper for Parkwood Entertainment/Right: Rob Hoffman for Parkwood Entertainment)
"Beyoncé saw Tom Ford's collection and said 'Oh my God, I love the dress!' We called Tom Ford and had the dress made for the tour, but instead of keeping it a pullover dress, we added zippers to adapt it to the quick change. It's based off a design that one of Beyoncé's dancers made for Jay Z's
T-shirt line."
(Photo: Rob Hoffman for Parkwood Entertainment)
"Beyoncé wore this Cavalli dress during the UK tour as well. We shot a mini video in this dress, too. That was her look for 'Freakum Dress'"
(Photo: Yosra El Essawy for Parkwood Entertainment)
"This flesh tone bodysuit was a look by Karen Langley, who worked with us on the styling for two of the 17 videos on the visual album. We were considering this look for the Grammys, but as a polka dot option. Beyoncé performed 'Drunk in Love' in Dublin wearing a version embellished with Swarovski crystals."
(Photo: Robin Harper for Parkwood Entertainment)
"We had just finished the video for 'Flawless', and for the tour Beyoncé wanted something relating to the plaid shirt she had in it, but a bit more upscale. I called Givenchy and I was like 'We need this look, watch the video,' and so they came up with this particular outfit."
(Photo: Rob Hoffman for Parkwood Entertainment)
"On 'Flawless,' Beyoncé also wore black booties by Stuart Weitzman, with her socks pulled up to her knees. The shoes are embellished with rhinestones and black Swarovski crystals to create a shiny illusion à la Michael Jackson."
(Photo: Robin Harper for Parkwood Entertainment)
"Another Givenchy Couture look, very kick ass for 'If I Were a Boy.' The shoes are by Stuart Weitzman."
(Photo: Yosra El Essawy for Parkwood Entertainment)
"This piece was very, very heavy, but it's such a hot dress! It's made in chain metal with Swarvoski crystals. Beyoncé wore it when she performed 'Heaven' in Glasgow."
(Photo: Robin Harper for Parkwood Entertainment)
"When Peter Dundas at Pucci came out with this amazing collection of tribal prints, I went crazy! At the time I was looking for an outfit that Beyoncé could wear on the red carpet for the Grammys, but I ended up keeping some of it for the tour. Peter created about six or seven pair of thigh-high boots to go with the sequin leotard."
(Photo: Stuart Trippleston/Picture Group/Parkwood Entertainment)
"This Versace bodysuit was originally a dress. Beyoncé wore it a few times, and then she thought it would be cool to have this look as a bodysuit, to perform better. So Atelier Versace came out and created this leather body suit embellished with metal buckles that kind of create the illusion of a basket weave. So cool."
(Photo: Robin Harper for Parkwood Entertainment)
"Timothy White has been working with Beyoncé for about as long as I have. When we needed a new opening look for the tour, he said 'Let me make something' and he created this beautiful pearl leotard. It probably took two weeks to make."
(Photo: Robin Harper for Parkwood Entertainment)
"This is another opening look by Pucci for the Sydney show. It's a beaded dress, with beaded fringes on the shoulders, and a sheer mesh cut out. We paired them with caged high heel shoes by Stuart Weiztman."
(Photo: Rob Hoffman for Parkwood Entertainment)
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