Black Culture Couture: Pyer Moss — Couture 1

“For Couture 1 — “WAT U IZ”, we spotlighted the inventions and innovations that Black people have contributed to modern everyday life. These inventions included items that Black inventors hold crucial patents on, such as the cellphone and Super Soaker, as well as items whose origins date back to ancient African civilizations such as chess. All the garments were eschewed from view with representative prop sculptures and objects. The collection is both a celebration of Black culture as well as a critique of the fixation of others who seek to profit off of Black trauma. The location of the show was Villa Lewaro in Irvington, NY. Villa Lewaro is the estate of Madam CJ Walker, the first female self-made millionaire in American history and an inventor in her own right.”

It took me a while to get it at first. I had to replay the show before the light bulb even began to warm up, but I was moved by the end of the second rewatch. Then, I went to the Pyer Moss Instagram to watch the stories and that’s when the full illumination occurred. A couture show—most likely, the first of its kind—highlighting and dedicated to Black culture, innovation and invention.

This collection, brands like Pyer Moss and artists like Kerby Jean-Raymond, is a big reason why I want to work in Fashion. I see us on the cusp of a new renaissance; not only in fashion but in art and media in general, and I want to be a part of it.

Thank you, Kerby Jean-Raymond and the people of Pyer Moss. Thank you, thank you, thank you!