Supporting Black Fashion Designer
It's always been important to support black designers, but amid a pandemic and sociopolitical crisis, these black artists and business owners need your support now more than ever!
Black fashion designers have played an integral role in the fashion history, from Patrick Kelly and Willi Smith, to Pyer Moss and Dapper Dan. However, these creative visionaries have not always had the moral and economic support that their white counterparts have. This is a common issue that a lot of minority designers have in the industry. In fact, some brands that had the potential to be sustainable ended up having to close their doors simply because a lack of funding, wholesale opportunities, etc. Think about it, how many black-owned brands hanging on the racks of Nordstrom, Barney’s and Neiman Marcus. They’re disproportionately outnumbered.
Nonetheless, I think that in addition to racially discriminatory practices, celebrities and other lovers of luxury brands should do a better job at supporting black designers. Instead of parading around in Chanel, Gucci and Givenchy, why don’t we start rocking Pyer Moss like it’s the best thing since Yves Saint Laurent? I think that “the culture” has done an excellent job at supporting brands like Telfar but we still have a long ways to go. Industry powerhouses play a significant role in the disproportionate success rates of black brands, but consumers play a more integral role in this issue than they think.
Photo Credit:
SB Shades - Celebrity Scope
Cushnie - Women's Wear Daily
Pyer Moss - Vogue
Report: Julian Randall
12 Luxury Black-Owned Fashion Businesses To Support
Now more than ever we need to protect and support our Black Owned Businesses.
For all you fashion lovers who would like to get involved with the Black Lives Movement, here is your chance. Now more than ever we need to protect and support our Black Owned Businesses. I have compiled a list of clothing brands that you should definitely take a look at. I have provided their Instagrams and websites for easy access:
Victor glemaud
Shop lovevera
Fenoel
DORSHELLE GUILLAUME LLC
Pyer Moss
Hanifa
Martine Rose
Kemi Telford
Chelsea Bravo
Mateo New York
There are countless amounts of Black-Owned Businesses; however, these are my favorite ones so far. They are a combination of colorful, fun and incredibly chic. I love everything about these brands and what they represent. I have a feeling you all will too.
*Photo credits to instagrams @Glemaud, @asata.maise, @kemitelford, @dorshelleguillaume,
Report: Anna Levitus
Insecure Where? These Looks Exude Confidence!
Though titled Insecure, the looks that the ladies on this show have been serving this season are far from that!
Though titled Insecure, the looks that the ladies on this show have been serving this season are far from that! Costume designer Shiona Turini, who also designed the clothing elements on Queen and Slim for which she was nominated for the Costume Designers Guild Award for Excellence in Costume Design for a Contemporary Film, is the fashion mastermind behind it all. What I admire most about Turini is that she purposefully seeks out Black designers and brands for Insecure. Doing this is not only important because it gives black designers a platform, but it also connects viewers with the characters as informed young individuals who understand the importance of supporting black-owned businesses. Here are just a few of my favorite looks from this season of Insecure.
First are the Cancun Vegan Leather Blazer and Wrap Skirt by Nanushka that Issa wore to the mixer she threw to promote her upcoming block party. I love this look because it gives me boss vibes which is exactly what Issa is radiating throughout this season. She is all about the success of her block party and has proven to be a hard worker.
My next favorite is the Diverge Drape Dress by Dion Lee that Molly was wearing on her date with Asian-bae Andrew. In my opinion, this dress is so fitting for Molly’s character whose high fashion sense matches her high expectations. Another favorite of mine was the cardigan dress Condola wore by Alessandra Rich. This dress looked so elegant especially with the details on the buttons and reminded me of something I’d see on Coco Chanel.
Another Molly look that I loved was the Asymmetric Deconstructed Blazer by Monse that she wore on the Thanksgiving episode. This top is just so bold and unique from anything I have ever seen, and for Molly to wear it on Thanksgiving there’s no doubt that she is the Beyoncé of her family.
Last but certainly not least, is the light blue pleated dress that Tiffany wore to Issa’s mixer, which happens to be from one of my personal favorite brands, Pyer Moss. The way this dress flows and the color really highlighted how beautiful maternity is and looks on Tiffany. I could probably go on forever about the stylish ladies of Insecure and how Shiona Turini never misses but you guys should just see for yourselves! Tune in with me on HBO Sundays at 10 pm EST.
Photo credit: @Insecurehbo
Report: Corine Gauthier
Pyer Moss to Hold Drive-in Premieres for New Film ‘American, Also’
Kerby Jean-Raymond has been transparent about his process. He has been vocal about what he wants to do and when he wants to do it.
Kerby Jean-Raymond has been transparent about his process. He has been vocal about what he wants to do and when he wants to do it. He told WWD at the CEO Summit last October that he will have a show when he has something to say.
The founder and designer of New York City-based fashion brand Pyer Moss will hold drive-in premieres for his film, “American, Also”, following social distancing and lockdown requirements. More details on the event and locations will be revealed this summer.
The film, which has been two years in the making, follows Jean-Raymond and his team, partners and collaborators producing the Pyer Moss runway show in September 2019 at Kings Theatre in Flatbush, Brooklyn. The show was significant for its location — Jean-Raymond’s home neighborhood — as well as its venue, which has been said to be unsuitable for black people. The trailer begins with a clip of Matt Lauer saying neighborhoods are still segregated and that when black people move to affluent neighborhoods, “The result is ‘white flight.’”
What follows is a behind-the-scenes look at the show’s production with models in hair and makeup, the band rehearsing and voiceovers from Jean-Raymond. He recalled a conversation with an editor in the trailer, who said, ‘You know, I’m not coming to any more of your shows. They’re just so negative.’ And I was like, ‘You can’t see that this is for us? This is for us to see us.’”
The film explores what went into the show’s production, which serves as a backdrop to the greater discussion of the black experience in America. Jean-Raymond said, “It’s always been our mission to show the amount of thinking and laboring that goes behind putting together a collection — we’ve been slowing down the speed of how much we produce and improving the quality of what we produce throughout the years. This film aims to show the love and care our entire company puts into every single moment we create and will show that we appreciate fashion as an art form and communication tool.”
The series itself highlights black people In American culture, the first of which centered around the cowboy, initially a derogatory word used for black people who herded cattle that debuted at Spring Studios in February 2018. The next, an ode to the black family, debuted in September 2018 at Weeksville Heritage Center in Brooklyn, one of the United States’ first free black communities.
The third installment, at Kings Theatre, is about Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the matriarch and pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll music. Jean-Raymond is premiering “American, Also” during the lockdown as a way to bring the community and New York City together, and also to engage with his fans. It will also be available to the public.
Report: Amanda T. Lou
Rooting For Everybody Black
Rapper Wale and creative director of Pyer Moss, Kerby Jean-Raymond recently partnered to produce a song entitled, “Sue Me.”
Source: Instagram (@kerbito)
Rapper Olubowale Victor Akintimehin (better known as Wale) and creative director of Pyer Moss, Kerby Jean-Raymond recently partnered to produce a song entitled, “Sue Me.” The music video, premiering on April 22, 2020, has already received over 500,000 views on YouTube and is one of the most radical depictions of race relations that we’ve seen in recent years.
“Sue Me,” is a song that introduces an alternative society in which white people are a part of the marginalized group and black people are in the majority. Nonetheless, writers Kerby Jean Raymond and Cameron Robert still incorporate real-life instances of the racial profiling and discrimination of black people in the 21st century. It comes as no surprise that a musical artist whose work is as intentional as it is creative, would release something this evocative. Moreover, as a fiercely progressive social justice advocate, Jean-Raymond makes very meticulous artistic choices with regard to the dialogue within the music video as the director.
It’s impossible to watch the video without being reminded of the racial injustices in the U.S. The first reference in the film dates back to the 2018 incident of two black men being denied access to a Starbucks bathroom without making a purchase. Prior to showing the footage of that incident, Jean-Raymond manages to “flip the script” in which a white man is arrested at a Starbucks that’s majority black. That’s a story that hasn’t really been told in mainstream media and can certainly lead you to asking yourself “what if?” What would the world look like if that was the relational dynamic between those races and how would that make us feel?
Source: Complex
Another unforgettable moment introduced is a video of a man, Aaron Campbell, going live from Facebook in prison located in Warren, Ohio. While filming Campbell laments about the government’s perceived lack of empathy toward those in prison during COVID-19. More specifically, he states that inmates are being denied home confinement for the government’s capitalistic agenda. Incorporating both live footages serve a crucial purpose that is difficult to articulate but is definitely felt. Rage, compassion and a sense of urgency are all emotions that one might feel while watching these videos.
The chorus, “Sue me, I’m rooting for everybody that’s black,” refers to a statement made by actress Issa Rae at the 2017 Emmy Awards, “I’m rooting for everybody black.” It’s safe to assume that the overarching message of this song aims to highlight the necessity of justice, equity and representation for black people. Wale unpacks the depth of these issues in multiple layers, fashion being one of them. One of the lyrics in the song reads “Pyer Moss, I dropped ten on my last visit and half that up at Saks, I favor black businesses.,” bringing attention to the practice of black people exercising a form of economic empowerment through monetary supporting each other. The intersectional nature of social issues in 21st century America is multifaceted, and both Wale and Jean-Raymond managed to capture that in a way that forces viewers to imagine while facing reality and potentially reexamine their surroundings.
Report: Julian Randall
Kerby Jean-Raymond’s Initiative to Assist Those Affected by Coronavirus
Fashion designer and founder of Pyer Moss, Kerby Jean-Raymond and his team took matters into their own hands.
As Planet Earth is fulfilling its’ never ending commitment of rotating on its axis, humanity is currently on pause due to the pandemic of COVID-19. The coronavirus or what others’ like to refer to it as, “Ca’Rone or Coronisha” has swept in and affected this entire planet we call home. With a pandemic this large, there have been a plethora of healthcare facilities experiencing shortages of protective equipment and countless businesses are on the brink of being out of circulation.
Fashion designer and founder of Pyer Moss, Kerby Jean-Raymond and his high-powered team, took initiative by converting the Pyer Moss office in NYC into a donation center for supplies such as masks, gloves and other face protectors. If one was not in the area locally to donate for the cause, Kerby provided a mail in option for these items and assured that he and the Pyer Moss team were executing social distancing and hygienic practices to receive and transport those items to medical professionals. Not to mention, Pyer Moss set aside $5,000 to purchase the highly sought after medical supplies.
The divine acts of humanitarianism did not cease. The Haitian designer’s next initial step was providing assistance to small creative businesses which mainly prioritized amongst the minority and women who were impacted by this crisis. Kerby and his team reserved a total of $50,000 to support the afflicted.
In response to Kerby’s initiative, social media proved to have radiated to his commitment and everything manifested in complete alignment. Kebry and the Pyer Moss team received an additional $5,000 from their lawyers to assist towards needed medical supplies. In addition, the team was able to acquire over 7,300 N95 masks and over 1,000 units of nitrile gloves and face protectors. The efficacious act of benefaction was far from finished. Kerby then used the local factories of Pyer Moss to construct 1,000 mask covers to extend the use of the N95 masks.
With the help of Kerby’s friend Jen Rubio, the prearranged $50,000 expanded and magnified the endowment to a sum of $100,000. In totality, $78,000 of the funds were distributed to 38 businesses that included 7 fashion brands, 5 cafes and restaurants, 3 childhood education businesses, 3 health and beauty brands and other creative enterprises through the Your Friends In New York Business Fund. The Your Friends In New York Business Fund was established due to the rising pandemic of COVID-19. It was designed to provide temporary relief to creative based businesses owned and operated by minorities and women. With the remaining funds, Kerby and the team of Pyer Moss are stragezing a way to construct an indefinite plan of action.
Not all heroes wear an indestructible cape made of kryptonian fabric but instead a custom white silk zoot suit with exaggerated shoulders, replicating the integrity of a black man in the American society, while displaying custom printed lyrical pinstripes and iconic sculpture portrait buttons from their favorite rappers, black power fist cufflinks and a pair custom red boots, wrapped in crocodile, that leaves an infinite trail of fire with each stride up The Metropolitan Museum of Art steps during the 2019 Met Gala. Kerby Jean-Raymond is his name and heroism is his game.
If you are a creative-based business and you’re in dire need of assistance, cannot keep our business afloat, can’t make payroll or cover pressing costs, please visit http://yourfriendsin.nyc/. The Your Friends in New York Business Fund will provide temporary relief to creative based businesses that are owned by minorities and women. A more limitless structure is currently in the works and is expected to be launched later this year.
Report: Sanvernetas Thomas
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.