London designer says working on Beyonce's album was 'career-defining moment'

A Notting Hill Carnival costume designer picked to work on Beyoncé’s Black Is King movie said the opportunity was a “career-defining” moment.

Melissa Simon-Hartman contributed designs to the American superstar’s visual album, released last month.

The designer, from Kilburn, was speaking ahead of this weekend’s Carnival, which is being held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. Six of her costumes will be worn by performers at the event, which will include pre-recorded music sets.

She told the Standard how she received an Instagram message from Beyoncé’s stylist Zerina Akers on the Monday of last year’s carnival, asking her if she wanted to be involved in a secret project.

It was later revealed to be Black Is King, a visual companion to the album The Lion King: The Gift.

“I said: ‘Well, yeah, of course I do.’ I didn’t have to think about it.” She was given 24 hours to submit her designs, themed around the black pieces of a chess board. She was commissioned for the project hours later — and given two weeks to create seven looks. All were used in the movie, with one worn by Beyoncé.

Ms Simon-Hartman said: “I saw it for the first time when everyone else saw Black Is King. I had a year of anxiety wondering if I made the cut. I was pleased when I saw all my pieces had made the cut. The one I designed for Beyoncé, she was wearing… thank goodness.”

She said the job was “career-defining” and gave her a professional boost: “Being recognised by Beyoncé’s team was amazing. I guess it just proved to me that I should keep going, that I have the right creative vision and I am on the right path.”