Pyer Moss Shows Us ALL That Black People Are 'American, Also', Especially The 'Sister(s)'
When Kanye alluded to a potential role play endeavor with a Black Kate Moss, I’m almost certain he wasn’t referring to the rise of The Black Moss that would take the fashion world by storm.
That young gentleman is Kerby Jean-Raymond, the mastermind fashion designer behind the (formerly) menswear (only) clothing label Pyer Moss. The Haitian-American designer and recipient of the 2019 CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year Jean-Raymond for Pyer Moss, presented his latest Spring Summer 2020 collection and the third installment of “American, Also” on September 8th, 2019.
Upon arrival, you could see the crowd of people lined up on both sides of the historical Black auditorium - the Kings Theatre in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Rumour had it, that the show was going to be his best yet, and boy did he not disappoint. Black folks came out in numbers, in their most fly attire and weren’t letting up until they made their way into that theatre. I was one of them, that stood across the street trying to figure out how the heck I was going to get my behind in ‘em seats (after colossally failing to RSVP on time).
** sings ** “It…takes…some…finesse”
“American, Also”
As light’s dimmed down, an almost entirely Black crowd in a regal theatre full of maroon drapes and gold accents surrounded me. To my surprise (but making perfect sense) Brent Faiyaz took to the stage, centered within a glowing spotlight, Cudi-humming his way into a beautiful spoken-word piece by Casey Gerald, that timely commemorated 400 years since the first enslaved Africans touched foot in the United States.
“We have come here to say we ain’t gonna grieve no more. We have come tonight to say you can’t hurt us no more.”
-Casey Gerald
The atmosphere felt heavily gruesome and uncanny in Kings theatre but momentarily turned into triumph and glory as Pyer Moss Tabernacle Drip Choir Drenched in the Blood took to the stage. The ethereal choir, assembled years ago to accompany Moss’ shows, sang a few Gospel favorites and Black women classics, paying homage to Black artists his collection was inspired by like Missy Elliott and Queen Latifah.
The third of “American, Also”, “Sister.”
“This season with the choir, we were focused on Black women who I feel are part of the lineage of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, whether that be Lil’ Kim, Cardi B, Anita Baker, Patti LaBelle, or Whitney Houston. Black women have been so influential in American pop music and they dominate, and I hope that this medley empowers people… I want black women to see that we controlled this, and I want to see more black women in positions of power as it pertains to music”
Especially, the Queer Black woman and birth mother of Rock ’n Roll Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
“She toured the world and had a successful career, but we wrote her out of the history books and made it a patriarchal thing—a white thing—as opposed to really honor the woman who birthed rock’n’roll, which later birthed hip-hop and all these different things. ”
The collection stands as a reminder from an unapologetic Black man that African-Americans are just as much a part of America’s rich history as the racists, naysayers and appropriators claim them not to be.
That energy was so transparent as the models dressed in bright, bold colors resembling of royal African garments to cuts and prints any designer unaware of the culture would attempt to imitate. Oh, and how could I forget to mention that AND ALL THE MODELS WERE BLACK AND BEAUTIFUL (and I mean every, single, one).
I’m glad Pyer Moss’ show was my first official NYFW show because it was BLACKER THAN EVER! For those nearly 30 minutes, the room felt like church, your post-secondary graduation and a family and friend cookout. I nearly teared at the thought of the plight of Black lives worldwide but then laughed at what seems like the innate humor we are able to draw upon as a people in spite of our differences and hardships. We are strength, resilience and FASH-UN HONEY and well, they can’t hurt us no more.
Thank You x3 Jean-Raymond and Pyer Moss!
Now, luckily for you all, you won’t be subject to videos I took way up in the nosebleeds because Moss is for the people and provided a live stream for his on PyerMoss.com.
Ready? Enjoy.
