500,000 Swarovski crystals used to design Beyonce tour costume

Beyoncé's stage costumes for her first performance since the birth of Blue Ivy were epic in the making.
The singer's showstopping pieces for her recent Atlantic City show took four weeks to make, with 20 couturiers working around the clock to stitch on the outfits' 500,000 Swarovski crystals.
The new mother's comeback Revel Resort show had a modern showgirl theme, with over 20 designs shortlisted from couture label Ralph & Russo to a final selection of only four.

Comeback costumes: Wearing four Swarovski-covered outfits, Beyoncé performed in Atlantic City on May 25 for the first time in nine months

Michael Russo and Tamara Ralph are the Australian design duo behind Ralph & Russo, a made-to-measure couture label that counts Angelina Jolie and Beyoncé as loyal customers.
The pair told Grazia Daily: 'Beyoncé has great style and stage presence and we wanted to ensure this was reflected in each element of the design from the style, fit, fabric selection and embellishment with over 500,000 Swarovski Element.

 

The design team: Michael Russo and Tamara Ralph are an Australian design duo behind Ralph & Russo, a made-to-measure couture label that counts Angelina Jolie and Beyoncé as loyal customers

Custom made couture: Beyoncé’s pieces had a team of 20 couturiers working around the clock to complete the outfits in only four weeks

'Y'all have no idea how hard I worked,' the 30-year-old told her fans. 'I had to lose 60 pounds. They had me on that treadmill. I ate lettuce!'
During the concert, she performed a selection of her biggest hits, including Crazy In Love, Love On Top, Irresistible and If I Were A Boy.
She also paid tribute to the late Whitney Houston with a cover of I Will Always Love You and closed the concert with Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It).