Beyoncé Wore a 'Great Gatsby'-Inspired Look to the Shawn Carter Foundation Gala

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(Image credit: Kevin Mazur)

published 18 November 19

What a weekend it's been for the Beyhive! Our one true queen, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, attended the Shawn Carter Foundation Gala (opens in new tab), a two-night event staged in support of husband Jay-Z's charity. And oh, the looks she wore! On night one, she gave us full body sequins, courtesy of David Koma. But I'm here to tell you about her Sunday night look, a '20s-inspired ensemble that might just be my phone wallpaper for the entirety of the coming decade.

The Shawn Carter Foundation was established 16 years ago by Jay-Z and his mom, Gloria Carter. The charity's website states its mission: "to help individuals facing socio-economic hardships further their education at post secondary institutions." Initiatives include a scholarship fund, college prep support, and a study abroad program.

The fundraising gala, meanwhile, took place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, according to the charity's website, and featured a live performance by Alicia Keys. And what else did it feature? Two superlative looks from the Queen!

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Beyoncé wore a jeweled, split leg gown with feathered shoulder trim to night two of the gala; according to her stylist, Zerina Akers (opens in new tab), the dress was a custom Roberto Cavalli number. And those feathers were ostrich, the designer revealed on Instagram. As for her jewelry, that was the work of Lorraine Schwartz: Bey wore diamond and emerald teardrop shaped earrings, and set them off with matching rings.

Both hair stylist Neal Farinah, who created Bey's half-up, half-down flowing curls, and make-up artist Rokael Lizama, who gave her soft red eyelids, a deep wine lip, and a dewy highlight that makes me weep, revealed the inspiration for the look: The Great Gatsby.

Farinah shared a photo (opens in new tab) of Beyoncé on Instagram with the caption, "MODERN GATSBY HAIR," while Lizama (opens in new tab)went for the hashtag, "#GatsbyGlam." And what does this mean, Beyhive? You got it: The '20s are back. Time to start stockpiling ostrich feathers.

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Emily Dixon

Emily Dixon is a British journalist who’s contributed to CNN, Teen Vogue, Time, Glamour, The Guardian, Wonderland, The Big Roundtable, Bust, and more, on everything from mental health to fashion to political activism to feminist zine collectives. She’s also a committed Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, and Tracee Ellis Ross fan, an enthusiastic but terrible ballet dancer, and a proud Geordie lass.