As Kerby Jean-Raymond put it, “My journey to get here was long. I’ve been doing this since probably earlier than I should have!”
The New York native started his career by attending the High School of Fashion Industries in pursuit of his childhood dream to become a sneaker designer. He went on to earn a position in the atelier of Kay Unger at the age of just 14 which he followed with stints at Marchesa and Theory.
Despite early ambitions to pursue a career in fashion, Jean-Raymond was not immune to setbacks. After graduating college, he struggled to find a job in the industry, eventually turning to corporate positions. Only after he was let go from his job at AT&T did he decide to return to his fashion dreams with his own label – a “happy accident,” he called it.
After a trip to study leather work in Istanbul, Jean-Raymond returned home with a set of samples and renewed ambition. It wasn’t long before one of his designs ended up on Rihanna.
When outlets incorrectly credited Givenchy for the jacket, he decided to set the record straight. However, for editors to make that correction, they needed a brand name to credit. And thus, Pyer Moss was born, named after his mother’s maiden name.
Family has had a strong impact on the designer’s career. He credits his aunt for encouraging him to pursue his fashion ambition. “I have a really big traditional family, so fashion wasn’t considered a reliable path for them, but my aunt always went to bat for me,” he recalled. “She argued with everybody, and fought for me to pursue my dreams instead of questioning them.”
Five years after the launch of Pyer Moss, Jean-Raymond has earned his stripes as a talented designer and an outspoken artist. His collections address racial tensions and income inequality, reinforcing there’s a place for political commentary in fashion.
“For a while, it felt like I was the pariah, especially when it came to stores, and that different opportunities weren’t coming my way because I chose to focus on these topics,” he admitted. “This nomination feels like everything just came full circle, and everything it felt like I was being punished for, I’m now getting recognized and accepted for. It feels really good.”
The journey is far from over. “I think we feel emotion more than we feel clothes, and I’m hoping that leads me to positions where I can direct movies, shows, and fine art projects in conjunction with what I do in fashion,” he noted.
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