(Source: Beyonce) Supermodels
Jourdan Dunn,
Joan Smalls, and
Chanel Iman star in
Beyonce's much-buzzed about video for "Yonce," a sexy, stylized romp that showcases enough style, sex appeal, and attitude to empower all of Brooklyn, if not the world.
(Source: Beyonce)The steamy track is one of 17 amazing videos that comprise Mrs. Carter's surprise new visual album, a
super hot opus she unleashed upon an unsuspecting public on Friday at midnight, bam, just like that.
Surprise! Now that we've had a chance to fully absorb the musical, cultural, and stylistic impact of Bey's latest coup, we can safely say that the voyeuristic, gritty-glam look of "Yonce" harkens back to an era long ago: the '90s.
During this time of unapologetic decadence and over-the-top glamour, a good music video could be as visually striking––and as stylistically inspiring––as a high-fashion editorial shoot. Featuring stylized images of the aforementioned models, clad in stunning combinations of leather, fishnet, fur, straps, statement jewelry, and little else, "Yonce" oozes that effortlessly sexy, '90s high-fashion aesthetic of
George Michael's "Freedom." (Remember
Naomi Campbell,
Christy Turlington,
Cindy Crawford, and
Linda Evangelista lip-syncing?)
(Source: Beyonce) Yet while "Yonce" definintely borrows this vibe, it does so with a gritty, dirty, and erotic urban twist that brings out the glamour in street-born looks like grills (yes, grills), statement rings,
stiletto nails, and chains.
(Source: Beyonce) 
(Source: Beyonce) (Incidentally, one of
Beyonce's outfits in this video is a molded jumpsuit designed by Tom Ford for YSL.) In terms of attitude, think
Madonna's
Truth or Dare, or, even "Music," when Madge played the madam in the back of the limo, looking at women the way men do, having fun, and radiating feminine power like nobody's business. Beyonce and her girls seem to be playing with that gaze as well, embracing its style, and enjoying the hell out of it. So are we.
Get inspired, and preview "Yonce," here:
