New York label Pyer Moss as led by Kerby Jean-Raymond on Sunday (September 8, 2019) presented “Collection 3” aka “Sister” a spring ’20 collection featuring items made as part of the label’s ongoing partnership with Reebok.
Held in Brooklyn’s restored Kings Theater as part of New York Fashion Week, the presentation, which included soaring performances by a church choir, was in part a tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a singer/songwriter who was popular in the 1930s and ’40s and is viewed by many as the godmother of rock ‘n’ roll.
As part of the effort, Jean-Raymond tapped fellow Brooklynite Johnny Nelson to create a gold-colored accessory molded in the shape of Tharpe’s face. Nelson created molds for 20 additional women in music including Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Tina Turner, Nina Simone, Janet Jackson, Mary J Blige, Beyoncé, Missy Elliot, Lauryn Hill, Da Brat, Left Eye, Aaliyah, Erykah Badu, Queen Latifah, Rihanna, Lil’ Kim, Janelle Monáe and Solange.
Previously, Nelson designed the buttons featured on the coordinated jackets Jean-Raymond and Lena Waithe wore to attend the Met Gala earlier this year.
Commenting on the effort, Nelson stated, “It was super important to pay homage to these women because they’ve contributed greatly to the culture as we know it today and beyond. They faced racism, inequality and overall unfairness in an industry and world not made to lift them up.
“These women were fierce, creative and inspiring innovators, so it’s only right that we immortalized them. I’m honored to have been able to collaborate with such an iconic brand that possesses strong values like Pyer Moss, especially with the show being held at The Kings Theater, not too far from where I was raised in Brooklyn.”
Enjoy a closer Nelson’s designs and the runway finale below.
