For 15 years, designers from all over compete in the CFDA / Vogue Fashion Fund, an award and honor that quickly separates not only the cream from the crop, but the who’s who of the fashion industry.
This year, Kerby Jean-Raymond, the designer behind Pyer Moss — one of my favorite brands on the scene at the moment — was named the winner of the Fashion Fund prize. After months of competition, one winner was chosen out of a sea of 10 talented hopefuls.
Pyer Moss is one of those dope brands that stands for something — for the past few seasons, Kerby’s collections have encircled around Black culture and the analysis of it in today’s time. The label was founded only five years ago, and has already built up an enviable resumé with leading brands and businesses (not to mention many of Black Hollywood’s fandom).
I’ve spoken about this (in passing) regarding a bit of my contentious relationship with the CFDA, most notably with the whitewashing I feel we notice on the executive committees. Nonetheless, Kerby walked away with the gold, an amazing feat that’s worthy of commendation and admiration. Not to mention his grand prize of $400,000.
Congrats to my Haitian fashionisto whose mark on the fashion industry has not gone unnoticed, but more importantly, is setting the precedent of what we can hopefully see in the near future.
