Meet Jerri Reid Of Jerri Reid New York - The Black Designer Conversation
Jerri Reid in Jerri Reid New York SS21
At the rise of Covid-19 many of us first questioned the timeline of fashion week and would we see the regular calendar continue - the question weighed over many of us for months! It was refreshing to see design houses and designers across the globe take advantage of the uncertainty and plow into production mode - thus my interest in Jerri Reid New York - The Black Designer based in Brooklyn New York wow’d instagram with his latest collection paying homage to the Black Is King film which debuted earlier this year in July. I was taken aback at quick of a turn round the young designer produced and released his well crafted designs reflecting some of the films most memorable moments.
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Noah L : Male feminine energy is seen often through androgynous fashion and art, now heterosexual men are being praised for it, what are your thoughts ?
Jerri Reid: I think it is showing a level of bravery, to be acceptable in their peers' sight. If Quavo from the MIGOS decided to make a nod to Camron wearing all pink, then ALL men would wear it. It sucks that Queer Black Men are truly the tastemakers of fashion and not often credited, but that's a systemic issue of hate within the community. I went to the march in D.C. this past month and not one mention to trans lives happened. We (LGBTQIA+) STILL don't exist in black spaces.
Noah L: As a black designer - what does it mean for you to receive recognition for your efforts to create original and lasting pieces?
Jerri Reid: It means EVERYTHING to receive recognition for not just my craftsmanship, but my efforts to thrive. It's really about setting intentions with all you do. If you are only doing things simply because, then what is your purpose? My life and career as an artist is purpose-driven and is also a return to love. Love of self, love of culture, love of life, love of art, love of spirituality, love of family and friends, love of growth, love of opportunity, and love of the Most High. This is what propels me to use my gifts to teach the youth of our community the values of sewing for the past 4 years.
Noah L: Would you consider COVID an opportunity to have thrived ?
COVID-19 came about but it didn't stop my resilience to be innovative in a time like this. I didn't want to create a bunch of masks in an oversaturated peak-time market, but I did want to present fashion. The virtual presentation i did on instagram in July really opened the minds of people I wasn’t aware I could reach. People were messaging me with positivity to keep progressing. Most importantly, they were happy with the injection of culture and blackness. When i saw BLACK IS KING, I knew it was an opportunity for the world to see the star that I am, In more ways than one. Days before it dropped, a snippet of the ALREADY video was released. The wednesday prior to its official release (7/29) I RAN to the fabric store to get all I could to interpret the still shots. I shot and edited everything on my own that saturday (8/1) and released it sunday (8/2). I was shocked at myself because the push i gave myself validated that I can do whatever I want and meet deadlines for my growing brand. It was seen by Zerina Akers, Jerome Lamaar, Shatta Wale, and many more who took part in the marking of Black Is King.
Queen Bey has seen it also. This was validation for myself to keep going and know that validation is within always.
Noah L: Your recent collection felt like a praise to power and glamor for the black community and almost a push to be seen - would you consider your designs activism?
Jerri Reid: WOW - I didn't think this recent collection embodied a sense of activism. I can see where activism can come into play, it being being pro-black, pro-afro caribbean, pro-afrolatino, and pro-queer. Humbly, I just wanted to be unapologetically myself at all costs. Someone said to me that what I've done is the first of its existence. A designer has not done a virtual presentation of themself in their designed garments EVER. I did get a bit teary-eyed when hearing it. The thing is, we are nothing short of powerful, glamorous, and black. when I hear it, my reaction is "so what else is new?" (laughter)
Thank you so much for this opportunity for telling my truth. I appreciate this platform for providing spaces for black queers. continue to be amazing!
For more from Jerri Reid visit JerriReid.com or Instagram at @JerriReid
