Before going onstage, veteran Latin singer Gloria Trevi focuses on the fans. “I believe that a show must encompass all the senses, and I want the fans to taste the salt of their tears and the adrenaline of joy,” she tells Billboard. “So for me, everything is important, including the costumes.”
And for Trevi’s VERSUS World Tour, a 35-stop Latin America and U.S extravaganza billed alongside fellow Mexican diva Alejandra Guzman, the music and costumes are anything but ordinary. The two women, who have often drawn comparisons since the inception of their solo careers in the ’80s, are now co-headlining to churn out a melody of hits from their respective catalogs while also promoting solidarity.
“It’s been a beautiful experience to see Alejandra’s and my fans come together and unite for the love of music,” says Trevi. “Every night we break barriers, and it’s been wonderful to see all the things we can accomplish when we unite.”
Between shows, Billboard spoke exclusively with both Trevi and four of the designers behind a few of the embellished, eye-catching and one-of-a-kind ensembles the Latina icon rocks throughout her tour.
Look 1: Show-Opener
To open the show, Trevi wears a silver asymmetrical leather bodysuit with fringe detailing and sexy cutouts designed by Nicolas Jebran, signifying the “Cinco Minutos” singer’s resilience. “Through working with Gloria, I have become a fan and learned her story; she has persevered so much, and I wanted to design a piece that showcased her inner strength,” Jebran says (exclusive sketch below).
Look 2: “Mas Buena” With Tiger Embellishments
When she hits the stage with Guzman to perform their single “Mas Buena,” the designer incorporated a dramatic cape with two large crystal embellished tigers and industrial-grade zippers to assist with quick changes. “Gloria is fearless just like a tiger; I really feel like it’s her spirit animal.” The singer agrees, adding that this “badass” statement piece — which took two months to complete from start to finish — also “embodies female empowerment.” “His designs are extra special, and his blinged-out bodysuit with matching tiger cape brings out my inner-feline,” she adds.
Look 3: “Eternamente Bella”
During her stop at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, Trevi sported a red bodysuit covered in matching Swarovski crystal embroidery by Labourjoisie for her performance of “Eternamente Bella” with Guzman.
Although the outfit’s reference point was a “kick-ass superhero,” the pair also incorporates a feminine and sexy aesthetic for her custom look, which is inspired by the song’s amorous meaning. “She wanted a piece that oozed seduction and romance but also left a lasting impression, so the color red seemed appropriate,” Antoine Salameh, the founder and designer of LaBourjoisie, said (exclusive sketch below).
“It’s the perfect look to sing ‘Eternamente Bella,’” Trevi says of her outfit, which took two weeks to create. “Labourjoisie’s designs are always very detailed and look great under the stage lights. We worked together on my last tour, and I had no doubt they would be able to create an amazing look for this section of the show.”
Look 4: The Ballad
For the ballads portion of the show, Trevi was looking for an elevated outfit with a sophisticated edge, so she collaborated with Dubai-based designer Michael Cinco. Her black bodysuit with brocade accents and crystals throughout has a detachable floor-length skirt and gives the illusion of a majestic all-black gown. “The outfit is designed for a stunning reveal,” Cinco says of the custom look that found inspiration in a gown from one of his previous collections that Gloria “loved” and wanted to recreate for her tour. The “Cuando un hombre te enamora” singer is a fan of Cinco’s “classy” and “elegant” designs, adding that “Michael Cinco is the perfect combination of glamor and avant-garde.”
Look 5: Rocker Vibes
The fourth creative Trevi collaborated with on her Verus tour wardrobe is Indian design duo Falguni & Shane Peacock, who says Gloria’s rocker vibe makes her the “perfect” FSP girl. “The inspiration came from Gloria’s extensive song catalog; her songs often have a rebellious edge that fits perfectly within our brand,” says co-founder Shane Peacock who co-designed two bodysuits accented with a blend of intricate beading–the phrase “rebel” is embroidered on the torso–and feathers. “It’s the perfect outfit to wear for the song “La Papa sin Catsup,” says Trevi, who first got a taste of FSP’s craftsmanship, when she rocked an embellished, long sleeve gold mini dress for the “Mas Buena” music video.
Rounding out her Versus tour wardrobe is a quirky, ’90s-inspired look from The Blonds, who previously outfitted Gwen Stefani for her This Is What the Truth Feels Like Tour. The final result: a black bodysuit with the faces of two dolls tied together with a red crystal heart on the torso, which according to Trevi represents the message of love and unity, paired with a black feather miniskirt. “I have an awesome connection with The Blonds; their aesthetic is very similar to my performance costumes of the 90’s. I love their creativity,” she adds
Trevi is also rocking custom pieces by Yousef Al-Jasmi, Shady Zeineldine, Victor & Jesse, as well as Jesus and Jesus and Antonio Estrada. The Versus World Tour has stops in both Central America and the United States, and Guzman and Trevi will continue touring together until 2018.
