Pyer Moss founder makes history with runway debut at Paris Haute Couture Week

Pyer Moss founder and creative director Kerby Jean-Raymond made history with his runway debut at Paris Haute Couture Week on Saturday. He became the first ever Black American designer to show at fashion gala.

Also Read: How France is celebrating Bastille Day this year

“I wanted to use the stage to share with other Black Americans who inspire me — and Black people who inspired me. So I chose to make the collection a highlight reel, in a way, of many of the things we’ve contributed to society at large,” he said about his historic appearance on the Paris Haute Couture Week schedule.

In his highly anticipated show, “Wat U Iz,” the designer sent models down a vivid blue runway in larger-than-life garments referencing everyday objects created by Black inventors, reports cnn.com.

The live-streamed showcase took place two days later than anticipated, after torrential downpours saw the first attempt called off. His show comprised high-concept, meticulously fabricated clothing based on recognizable items, including a bicycle, traffic light, chessboard, fire escape, Super Soaker, refrigerator and mop.

Former Black Panther Party chairwoman Elaine Brown spoke ahead of the show, which also featured performances from Brooklyn rapper 22Gz and a live string orchestra.

As a designer, Kerby Jean-Raymond has dirupting ideas about American fashion in unprecedented ways

“Oftentimes, though, among our community, we often berate and belittle people who are making money in their respective crafts. So much so that we’ve learned to undervalue our work and undervalue our time. I’m trying to flip that narrative, because I understand that that narrative is a trap,” he said.

Since Pyer Moss became a fashion week mainstay in 2015, the label’s mens and womenswear collections have been worn by famous figures from Colin Kaepernick and Zendaya to US Vice President Kamala Harris.