Regalia Befitting A Queen

Designer Lindsey James’ smash ensemble for the Beyoncé Bowl elevates the Western lifestyle to new heights.

By Delores Kuhlwein

One might say Beyoncé knocked everyone’s boots off when she performed during the NFL Christmas Gameday halftime show.

Often dubbed Queen Bey, or the first lady of music, Beyoncé delighted viewers with a star-spangled performance of the halftime show for the Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens game on Christmas Day 2024. The halftime show boasted over 27 million viewers, and according to Netflix, viewership totals of the games that day neared 65 million.

Beyoncé’s  show featuring Post Malone, Blue Ivy Carter, and many more was enough to make a cowboy’s heart sing, too, offering a huge nod to Western and equine culture – not only highlighting the first live performance of songs from her Cowboy Carter album, but also dazzling audiences with cowboy hats, boots, and stunning white Western attire adorned with crystals, feathers, and fringe.

It was almost as if she’d had an equestrian design such a unique and jaw-dropping ensemble. Actually, that’s exactly what she had.

Well Versed in the Western World

Lindsey James, known for truly exceptional show clothing for exhibitors for the past two decades, stands apart with a motto stating, When Every Detail Counts.  Her clients are very much aware of her ability to elevate a rider’s entire presentation, and now, she’s done the same for the superstar, Beyoncé, as the designer for her personal look on the halftime show that has now become known as Beyoncé Bowl, available as a standalone performance on Netflix.

After all, even though this particular opportunity to dress one of the most celebrated women in music history wasn’t planned, Lindsey has been preparing for it for years.  “I’ve been designing

show clothing for over twenty years- my passion for it dates back to my college days. As a fellow equestrian, I understood the demand for high-quality, unique, custom pieces that make riders feel confident and polished in the arena. What started as a way to support my own riding journey—crafting pieces for myself and others—quickly evolved into Lindsey James Show Clothing,” explains Lindsey.

Her attention to detail was enthusiastically embraced by exhibitors for its perfectly placed stones, seamless silhouettes, custom embroidery, incredible fit, which Lindsey explains, “can give a competitor that extra edge in the arena. It became second nature to treat every design like a one-of-a-kind piece, ensuring no two garments are ever the same.” The philosophy of When Every Detail Counts is the essence of the company’s work, and over twenty years later, Lindsey still operates the Lindsey James Show Clothing “to create show clothing that speaks to a rider’s style while upholding uncompromising craftsmanship.”

Hitching Her Wagon to a Star

Lindsey explains that Beyoncé’s team reached out to her earlier in the year after they discovered one of her reference pieces, an embellished show jacket.  “From there, we brainstormed and collaborated on a crystal-embellished design to introduce “Cowboy Carter” for her halftime performance. It was an extraordinary experience—seeing something that started as a custom equestrian garment turn into a spotlight moment on one of the world’s largest stages– along with working with such an incredible team- they really move like clockwork together. It’s still a bit surreal to think that my designs caught the attention of such an iconic artist as Beyoncé, along with her stylists Erica and Shiona and team. They’ve all been incredible to work with,” Lindsey reveals.

As she looks forward to the doors opened by Beyoncé and her team, Lindsey has found herself surprised by not only what the Western world she’s immersed in represents, but the true unique nature of the horse show industry.

The High Fashion of Western Attire

“I’ve been lucky enough to be showing horses for 30 years in all levels and disciplines of Western,” she says. “The high-fashion world is so new and foreign to me, and I’m learning so much so quickly. Stepping into this collaboration gave me a glimpse into what couture is in the fashion world, and made me realize that show clothing, the way we do it, is a true form of couture. Each piece is custom by size, fit, design, and embellishment, hand-crafted, hand-finished, and totally unique, pushing the boundaries of what “traditional” Western wear can be,” she says.

Amazingly, the journey of Beyoncé into cowboy and Western culture has paid off for more than just celebrating the Western lifestyle and bringing our love of the horse to the masses.  It additionally has elevated Western elements in fashion.

“I want the industry to realize there’s a wide, creative space for fusing authenticity with high-fashion elements,” adds Lindsey. “Even a classic high-neck design can become something fresh and innovative with the right vision—whether that means adjusting silhouettes, adding off-the-shoulder elements, or even incorporating unique couture chaps in untraditional color.”

Lindsey explains that her work with Beyoncé means so much more, “demonstrating that Western show clothing can stand on equal footing with the most elite fashion houses, provided we never lose sight of our roots in craftsmanship and detail.”  It has also been incredibly meaningful for her – and for the equestrian industry – to see the culture and craft acknowledged on a grand scale.

“There’s a rich heritage behind Western show apparel, and it’s been incredible to watch it merge with other genres of fashion and performance,” Lindsey reveals. “It’s not about diluting the meaning of western wear; it’s about showing the world the craft and hard work that goes into everything that we do – and the excellence that we produce in this industry. More than anything, I’m grateful for the chance to share that passion with a broader audience. It’s a privilege to be a part of this “visual love letter” that celebrates diverse influences, iconic music, and the pure artistry of show clothing on a global stage.”

For the rest of us self-professed horse enthusiasts and lovers of the Western lifestyle, the visual results of the incredible collaboration of both artists has given us much to enjoy – and celebrate – for years to come.

 

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Stay tuned for more in our Equine Chronicle print and digital magazine! All photos credit: Parkwood Entertainment, released by Beyoncé Press.