TORONTO - It was a family affair for Beyonce on Wednesday as the pop sensation was joined by her mother and sister at the Canadian launch of their junior apparel collection, .
Dozens of fans packed a bustling downtown sidewalk outside a posh supper club to catch a glimpse of the superstar, who walked the red carpet with mom, Tina Knowles, and younger sister, Solange, just hours before she was to perform at the Air Canada Centre.
The trio were decked out in apparel from the line, with Beyonce wearing a form-fitting black dress with gold print.
"It's all about a young working woman, a trendy woman, a woman that loves style," Beyonce said of the Dereon line. "My mom and my sister and I have all collaborated together, and we're excited to launch it in Toronto today."
Tina Knowles, the co-founder, creative director and designer behind the Dereon brand, was designer and stylist for Beyonce when she was part of the award-winning girl group, Destiny's Child. She acts as designer and stylist for Beyonce and Solange as solo artists.
She said stylewatchers can expect to see a younger, more casual look with the Dereon line.
"Just really great trendy things, a lot of emphasis on fit, and just really cool stuff, lots of graphics and cool, young things," she said.
Gold was a prominent feature in the detailing of pieces showcased in the Dereon runway show, from embellishments and embroidery on fitted dark jeans, to shiny decorative prints on shirts and hoodies.
Heavy gold chains accented many of the pieces, which featured prints from leopard to camouflage.
Models strutted onto the catwalk to pulsating dance beats, including a few remixed tracks by Beyonce herself, as she and her family, including father and manager, Matthew, looked on.
Beyonce has previously collaborated with her mother on their House of Dereon fashion label. The brand is named in honour of Beyonce's maternal grandmother, Agnez Dereon, a dressmaker who made custom clothing for private clients.
Beyonce said the opportunity to work with her family is "very important" to her.
"I know my whole career I've always loved working with my family. My father's my manager, (and) I'm so excited to work with my sister now," she said.
"My mother has always designed the clothes for Destiny's Child and myself, and now it's like a dream come true to celebrate not only fashion but a lifestyle."
Dereon is distributed by Montreal-based Multiprint, and is available at specialty retailers across Canada.
