When Pyer Moss' Kerby Jean-Raymond announced he'd be showing in East Flatbush, Brooklyn this season, he reasoned that he wanted the fashion set to "come home" with him and see the streets he walked on as a kid—his America, if you will. Fitting, as this was the third part in the designer's series called “American, Also,” a collection "created to uncover stories of Black peoples contribution to popular American culture," read the press release. Through this series, Jean-Raymond's aimed to examine pop culture moments Blacks have often been erased from: In February 2018, it was cowboy culture and last September, it was black American leisure and the barbecue. For Spring 2020 it was rock n' roll, so off to the Kings Theatre we went, eager for not only a runway experience but a full on show, something that Jean-Raymond has now become known for.
“American, Also; Lesson 3,” a collection named “Sister," focused on contributions from Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a queer black singer, songwriter, guitarist, and recording artist, who, according to last night's show, invented rock ‘n’ roll. The collection featured artwork by recently exonerated artist Richard Phillips to commemorate Tharpe’s life, plus collaborations with Puff Daddy's Sean John and Brother Vellies' Aurora James, two fellow Black designers.
As The Pyer Moss Tabernacle Drip Choir Drenched in The Blood performed a range of songs from Donny Hathaway's "Little Ghetto Boy" and Anita Baker's "Sweet Love" to Cardi B's "Money" and Missy Elliott's "Sock It 2 Me," sharp suiting, bright evening wear and, of course, his signature streetwear made its way down the runway. The audience sang along, taking in the joyous occasion which celebrated black life, ready for the real turn up: Jean-Raymond's epic after party.
Nikki Ogunnaike is the senior digital director of Harper's Bazaar, where she oversees a team of editors and writers who cover the culture of style across the website, video, and social media. She has previously held roles at GQ, ELLE, Glamour, InStyle, and Vanity Fair. You may also recognize Nikki from her time as the host of Snapchat’s Online, IRL and IGTV's The Run Through. In her free time Nikki enjoys running half marathons, learning about wine, and watching reality TV without an ounce of shame.
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