Pyer Moss Spring 2019: NYFW
Represented By: Chapter: 2 Agency.
When Anna Wintour cosigns your designs, you’ve got to know you made it, right?
Much could be said for the 10 finalists in the Vogue/CDFA Fashion Fund 2018. The power house Vogue/CDFA duo has been celebrating, supporting, and showcasing emerging designers for the past 15 years, crowning two winners at the end of the competition. Among these 10 gems, I was drawn to Kerby Jean-Raymond of “Pyer Moss,” a men’s and women’s line of style, with a conscience.
Pyer Moss Spring 2019: NYFW
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As Wintour says, “they’re not only talented, they’re engaged with a rapidly changing world.” Kerby illustrated this in his Fashion Week debut back in 2016, tackling the very sensitive and prevalent issues of police brutality, where models wore imitation blood spattered, white boots, inscribed with phrases and words popular amongst the “Black Lives Matter” movement.
The New York Native has made it appoint to not only create aesthetically pleasing pieces, but collections that are birthed from his raw personal experiences and emotions.
Kerby’s Fall ’18 collection speaks to his feelings of disconnect to America, due to historical exclusion and disenfranchisement. Western inspired pieces like the Pyer Moss jackets, are his attempt to pay homage to the unsung “Black Cowboys” of America. He consciously crafted the contrast, topstitching jacket to mimic the original construction of western-style jackets, intertwining a modern edge. It’s imperative for the designer of Haitian decent to evoke a conversation amongst fashion goers that exceed their mere appearance, really pushing to create an “art form” as he describes it, an element I can appreciate.
Last year, Kerby collaborated with Reebok for the “Reebok by Pyer Moss,” “American Also” Collection 1, which included a huge, foot-length, wool scarf, with an American flag print, stamped with the Reebok and Pyer Moss logos.
The scarf is very reminiscent of the garb worn by most African village chiefs, further evidence of Jean-Raymond’s desire to preserve culture, all the while keeping us bundled up during those brutal NYC winters! Their “DMX Fusion Experiment” sneakers contribute to the current athleisure moment in fashion and were highly anticipated for its limited release back in March. The low top, all black and white, unisex sneakers feature an on trend chunky bottom, with intricate wrap-around, draw string laces (the single-handed detail that gives “Yeezy” a little stiff competition, in my opinion).
Having world renowned notoriety, spanning from an FGI Rising Star Award to making Forbes’ “30 Under 30,” Kerby mentions his father’s participation in his AW17 Campaign, amongst the highlights of his career. The Haitian immigrant serves as the muse for Pyer Moss, which established the brands overall tone.
Strapped with witty banter, a revolutionary spirit, and chic designs, its clear Kerby Jean-Raymond didn’t make the top 10 on a fluke! And I for one, look forward to not only seeing, but experiencing his “art form.”
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With love,
FWO
