The Pyer Moss Spring 2019 collection was nothing short of being perfectly planned, brilliantly designed, and exquisitely executed. Kerby Jean-Raymond, founder of Pyer Moss, drew inspiration from imagining what the African-American experience would be like without the constant threat of racism. This initial concept lead to a collaboration with rising artist, Derrick Adams, who commissioned 10 paintings, which were then woven throughout the entire collection. Some example paintings feature a black father with his sons, a young black man grilling burgers on a plain white t-shirt; a black page boy and flower girl; as well as the collection’s most noted piece, a black father lovingly cradling his baby rendered on a shift dress in glittering beads. Kerby simplistically describes his collection as,”Just black people doing normal things.” The setting of the show was extremely significant as well, taking place at the Weeksville Heritage Center in Brooklyn, New York. Weeksville was founded by James Weeks in 1838, a decade after slavery was abolished in New York and it became one of the country’s first free-black communities established post-slavery. The historical significance behind it all, plus the messages showcased through the garments truly made for a beautiful collection that people will remember for years to come.
Overall, I thought this was a very detailed and well-thought out concept and approach that Kerby took for his Spring 2019 collection. I definitely appreciate and identify with the message he is presenting us with this collection. I’m also a sucker for bold prints and graphic designs, so he was definitely able to capture my attention by bringing Derrick’s paintings to life through the art of fashion. I loved that this collection was able to capture the beauty of black bodies and our experiences, showcased our culture through the art of fashion. I also appreciate some of the simpler pieces, which still have bold statements such as “See Us Now?,” and “Stop Calling 911 On The Culture;” as well as two menswear outfits that I could see myself rocking for the upcoming Spring season. This was a wonderfully successful collaboration between black creatives and I can’t wait to see what Kerby comes up with next.
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