Source: Sean Drakes / Getty When I found out that I was going to Kerby Jean-Raymond’s Pyer Moss show, I couldn’t feel my legs for a minute and it felt like the room was spinning around me at 100 mph. Granted, I had been to one of the designer’s shows a few seasons ago and had loved every single second of it, but this time, it was extremely different. In just two short years, Kerby has gone from a Black designer to watch to the designer of the moment, and dare I say, a designer of the century. He’s the type of public figure that urban kids can quickly identify, among the Off-Whites and Balenciagas splattered on every streetwear roundup. He’s the fashion designer whose clothing is clean and respectable — he’s not really gimmicky or peacocky just for the sake of show, but his clothes pack a bunch and are well-tailored. He’s the Black designer who straddles this fence between resources and talent, one minute discussing in magazine spreads how he received death threats for his Spring ‘16 show, and then the next minute taking out Kings Theater to well over a thousand spectators as the entire fashion world stopped for a moment in time. Attempting to write about the Pyer Moss S/S 2020 Collection feels like trying to explain what water tastes like to the malnourished, or what love feels like to one who has only known trauma. I suppose I should also point out that other than the extraordinary rise in Kerby’s career over the past few years, the other reason why the invitation to his show was downright unbelievable to me was because I wasn’t being asked to attend as press. I was simply being asked to attend on my own accord. Working press during NYFW is a marathon, indeed, but it’s also exhausting as hell. Fighting to get quotes, to snap photos, to ensure you’ve received all the assets you need before jet-setting off to the next show or to your laptop to sit down and write, write, write, can feel emotionally and spiritually draining. There were moments throughout the season I had to work press for shows, and that was totally fine: Building TheBlondeMisfit.com has been the act and labor of love that I have sought to create space in, but being Black media and press is also a who’s who game. Sometimes you don’t get the quote, or you don’t get the angle. Sometimes the larger outlet does steal your material and you’re not acknowledged, or everyone else’s team of five has the same responsibilities as your team of one. So to know that for one night, the show of my dreams only asked for me to sit back and enjoy without the added responsibility of work afterwards? I was moved, and after seeing the show, I was thankful. Source: Sean Drakes / Getty There are a lot of show reviews on Pyer Moss’s latest collection, and honestly, I stand by them all. There’s interviews, backstage looks, features, and so much more. This third collection focused on the contributions of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, also known as the Black woman who invented Rock’N’Roll. With jewelry done by Johnny Nelson, an entire choir named “The Pyer Moss Tabernacle Drip Choir Drenched in The Blood,” parts of design by Christopher John Rogers, and more, the show was not just Black. It was undeniably Black. The choir sang hits from influential Black women in music, from Lil’ Kim to Tina Turner, as beautifully dripped clothing walked the runway. We saw tailored suits, pleated asymmetric skirting, plunging necklines, and evening wear ready for the red carpet. We saw the color block moto jackets in partnership with Sean John, and the iconic “Vote or Die” T-shirt re-emerge in today’s troubling political climate. But throughout the show, I couldn’t help but find myself putting the phone down in an attempt to just enjoy this moment — it wasn’t the Black models, or the Black clothing, or the Black choir, or the thousand people filled into this theater for this Black man and his team. It was the message of what fashion can be and what it should be. View this post on Instagram At @pyermoss last night. I never thought I could belong in fashion, and I still don't think that I do. I'm hypercritical of myself and my talents, and I oftentimes wonder if I'm taking on too much and if I will fumble the bag. But I have had so many people, family, friends, and you all, who have loved me from near and far, who have poured into me and have affirmed me in this space. To know that wherever I plant my seed, it blossoms. Whatever I touch, it gets to grow. That the work I've put in hasn't gone unseen, and that I have little angels all around me working those overtime hours. This is because I have given God all of my gifts, and have asked Him to order my steps and my anointing. I've asked Him to show people that TheBlondeMisfit isn't on man's timing, but on God's. HE will put you in the presence of great men and women, and to be in the presence of the impact that @kerbito brought to fashion literally made me cry. It is divine orchestration that proves I was meant to be there. That I am doing fine and that God is making a way. I may not always know what's on the other side of fear, but I know who holds the keys. It was an honor to wear THREE black designers last night to the most undeniably groundbreaking, thought-provoking, memorizing, and Blackest show I have ever seen. Thank You Kerby for letting God use you as a vessel for the people, and for reminding me how powerful purpose truly is. A post shared by Jamé Jackson (@theblondemisfit) on Sep 9, 2019 at 11:13am PDT Friends and family know I believe I’m a fashion ‘outsider’, thus the ‘misfit’ misnomer. Even as I learn and meet more people, take up more space, and fill more rooms, I learn that the collective thought of fashion has changed over the years, and that there are still misunderstood misfits in fashion. There are still people who are thinking in colors, and shapes, and hues, whereas the majority are still thinking about what they had for breakfast that morning. As the models did their final walk and the choir belted out a gospel song that’s lyrics sought for God to make one over again, tears streamed my face as I realized I was sitting in on a moment of history. A reclamation of Black women and our bodies and our narratives, not just in fashion, but in history, was taking place right on the stage in the presence of a multicultural and multidimensional crowd. I felt the spirit in the theater, the same spirit I feel on Sunday mornings when I head to church and reconcile that God’s gotten me through another week, or the same spirit I feel when I give honor and praise in the wee hours in the morning when I know I am spiritually under attack. It’s the same spirit I know my mommy and grandmommy felt walking the floorboards as they prayed to a Creator to make a way out of no way, and surely, He always did. I felt God’s face shine upon us and confirm that we, as a people, would be alright. But more importantly, I saw what divine manifestation can look like for another when you walk in purpose. That is what is missing from these show reviews I’ve been reading, who have accurately discussed the beauty of the clothing, or the choir, or the resounding speech that started the show. The show reviews that probably gave you the backstory of how droves of people were standing outside the Theater for blocks and blocks, hundreds, if not thousands of people there just to see if they could buy a ticket. I’m sure you’ve read the reviews of people discussing the power and the magnitude of Kerby’s show, some even calling it his “church” and what’s next in fashion. But walking away, I saw the purpose of something so much more than clothing or a review. Sunday night is a hope for anyone out there with a dream and a prayer, with faith the size of a mustard seed, that if it’s of God, He can truly change the game with your gifts. He can change the industry with your talents. The clothes and the music and celebrity sightings are all gravy to the entré, which brings us back to center and makes us question for the rest of our lives are we operating in purpose or are we solely skating by. I want to thank Kerby for relighting a fire within me and all who attended. For honoring the Black women who have come before, and will undoubtedly come after us. And for all of those who understand now more than ever we can reclaim that power and use it to channel true change in the industry. I never want that feeling I felt to die, nor the feeling that being an ‘outsider’ is wrong when God is using your vision for a larger purpose. The world stopped for Kerby, they can stop for us as well. DON’T MISS: #NYFWNOIR: Studio One Eighty Nine Brought The Motherland To New York Fashion Week #NYFWNOIR: Maki Oh Continues To Define Afromodernism To The West #NYFWNOIR: Here’s How This Black Designer Got Beyoncé To Wear Her Shoes [ione_media_gallery src=”https://hellobeautiful.com” id=”3058068″ overlay=”true”]
Source: GP Images / Getty When we think of celebs debuting a new hair lewk, The Weeknd is the last person that comes to mind. A true fly below the radar type of guy, the singer mostly gets attention for his soothing voice and high-profile relationships. Many of us know the Canada native for his chunky locs and cropped cut styles. So, once we found out that the “ Try Me ” singer was generating buzz in the hair department, we were immediately intrigued! The true epitome of the saying “new hair, who’s this?,” the singer debuted his new TWA at the TIFF premiere of his upcoming film, Uncut Gems . The star hasn’t been in the public eye lately so once the photo made its rounds, it’s safe to say we were all shook. If you ask us, the star is serving major Lionel Richie meets Tito Jackson vibes with this mane move. It’s definitely out of the box for the singer (real name Abel Makkonen Tesfaye), but in true creative nature, there is absolutely nothing wrong with changing up your look. While we’re still getting over our shock of his head-turning new ‘do, Black Twitter has been having a field day! From hilarious jokes to predictions of a new album on the way, we can always count on our Twitter family to give us a good laugh. Keep clicking to check out some of the funny and lowkey true tweets about The Weeknd’s hair transformation.
At this point, the Duggars are so famous that even people who marry into the family become minor celebrities. Of course, not every new spouse is thrilled with that development. Take Lauren Swanson, for example. Lauren married Josiah Duggar over a year ago but thus far, she’s managed to keep a lower profile than most Duggar partners. Those who know Swanson best say that’s no accident. To say that Lauren is a bit more shy than your typical reality star would be a massive understatement. In her first video messages to fans — posted shortly after she and Josiah got engaged — Swanson spoke so quietly that many fans openly wondered if she were concealing some sort of speech impediment. (The denizens of Duggar nation are not always a kindly bunch.) To this day most fans know very little about Lauren — but that changed this week, when the mom-to-be posted a list of 11 facts about herself on Instagram. Some of the facts aren’t exactly jaw-droppers. Lauren kicks things off by revealing with that she loves Jesus with her “whole heart,” and she “grew up in central GA on a little farm” Important parts of her life, no doubt, but nothing that’s likely to take anyone by surprise. After the introductory items, however, Lauren’s list actually gets interesting. “I am a quarter hispanic (and no I am not fluent in Spanish, but I wish I was),” Swanson continued. “My middle name (Milagro) is in Spanish, it means Miracle.” So, maybe the Duggars aren’t the whitest family in the world anymore? (Just kidding, they still are.) From there, Lauren revealed that she’s known Josiah for much longer than previously thought. “Met the Duggar family in 2010, at the ATI conference in Big Sandy, TX (so yes, I watched Josiah grow up; I remember him as the funny/talkative little kid),” she wrote. And here’s where it really gets interesting — it seems Lauren was very nearly a career woman: “I went to college when I was 16 and finished my Associate’s degree in Nursing at 18,” she wrote. Next on the list was an equally, though considerably less impressive revelation: “My secret talent is yodeling,” she wrote. From there on out, its pretty standard stuff — Lauren plays piano and digs interior design, but her favorite pastime is hanging out with Josiah. But still — nursing, yodeling, interests that don’t involve Jesus and housework? Seems that Lauren may have a richer interior life than some folks gave her credit for. For years, we’ve been hearing that despite all of the hype about Jinger, Josiah is the real Duggar rebel , the one who resists his father’s influence at every turn. And what better way to rebel against Jim Bob than to marry a woman with no interest in being enslaved by a patriarchal cult? View Slideshow: Josiah and Lauren Duggar Reveal Gender of First Baby (EEEEK!!!!!)
Source: Bernard Smalls / @PhotosByBeanz JAY-Z has been catching heat following the announcement of his partnership with the NFL. Many were quick to try and cancel Hova without letting things pan out. Slowly but surely, we are learning what Roc Nation’s involvement with the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative will bring starting with Chicago’s youth. According to TMZ , sources close to the NFL revealed the league will be donating $400,000 to 2 Chicago groups that give at-risk youth alternatives to gangs and gun violence. Meek Mill, Meghan Trainor as well as Rapsody and Vic Mensa will be visiting both of the programs that were handpicked and vetted by Roc Nation. Per TMZ : One of the groups is BBF (Better Boys Foundation) Family Services — which, we’re told, Vic and Rapsody will visit Wednesday. Founded in the 1960s … BBF says it provides education, employment, and youth services, as well as family health programs to more than 400 families. The other group, Crusher’s Club , says its mission is to help Chicago kids “restore their lives and improve their neighborhoods.” Meghan and Meek will be at Crusher’s on Thursday … ahead of their NFL Kickoff concert. As we reported, Meek and Meghan came on board, not just to perform the NFL Kickoff concert, but as advocates for Inspire Change — the league’s arm to support player and team efforts to focus on education, police and community relation and criminal justice reform. According to the celebrity gossip site, Chicago will serve as the “prototype” for future philanthropic endeavors with the NFL, Roc Nation, and Players Coalition continuing to do the same in every NFL city. Looks it’s more than just “merch” and concerts being pushed in the name of social justice. Does this change your view on Jigga man’s deal with the NFL? Or is he still on the cancellation block? Let us know in the comment section below. — Photo: Bernard Smalls / @PhotosByBeanz
Source: Leon Bennett / Getty We’re used to seeing Angela Bassett in more dramatic roles, but she’s flexing her funny bone in Netflix’s new comedy Otherhood . Bassett turns on the charm as Carol, one third of a trio of “empty nesters,” who find themselves on a mission to reconnect with their sons after they forget to call them on Mother’s Day. The journey, in turn, becomes a mission to self-discovery. MUST SEE: Angela Bassett, Patricia Arquette & Felicity Huffman Star In Netflix’s ‘Otherhood’ All of which drew Bassett to the production. “It starts with the script,” she said in a candid chat. “That was one of the things that attracted me to this movie. The chance to go a different way. My friends tell me I’m funny.” Basset chose to work Netflix, not because she needed an opportunity of course, but because they tell everyday stories when Hollywood can be so limited. “Our director and producer, they’ve been trying to get this done for 10 years. What stories are being told on the big screen goes through cycles. ‘We’re not doing biographies right now, or made for television movies right now. It’s great to have a place like Netflix where there’s such an array and something for everyone. We shot in New York City. It’s a love letter to the city. It was a wonderful experience.” Basset revealed she ultimately could relate to her character, which also influenced her decision to join the cast. “It had a comedic tone but was based in reality and I could relate being a mother. I relate being a girlfriend. I relate being a wife. I could relate on so many levels,” she said. “I thought this is something we don’t generally see but this is so real — the whole empty nest thing and who are you after the husband is gone and the children are gone. Depression is real after that for a lot of women. In families, sometimes the children are holding it together and everyone is focused on them. They’re fighting for their autonomy, and go off to college, who are you?” Bassett’s character and her Black son add some much-needed melanin to the Otherhood screen, which is important to Bassett who constantly reaffirms her children that they’re skin is beautiful. “It’s very important because the power of imagery and the history of this country and we know the scales have not been evenly placed and it’s very important, having a son and a daughter, that they understand who they are. That they are comfortable in their in skin that they’re skin is beautiful. For any woman, whatever skin you live in is beautiful but especially because it’s a life they have to live where they may not get a lot of affirmation in different rooms that they enter. They have to go in with confidence and come out with confidence. I just gave my daughter, I was leaving early this morning, a paper. I said ‘This is a little present for you because this is who you are little queen.’ It was an image of Nefertiti. So she should could always be proud of who she is and know that she is beautiful.” As for keeping herself grounded and motivated, Bassett offered the advice she gives her son, “When he goes off to the summer camp where he is a counselor at an autistic camp there are some days it’s a challenge. But that’s what it’s about, rising to the challenge and I tell him, ‘Yeah it’s tough, but find the good and praise it. It’s about your attitude and how you look t the situation. You won’t like it all but there’s a lesson in it.” Otherhood is streaming NOW on Netflix. RELATED STORIES: Angela Bassett, Patricia Arquette & Felicity Huffman Star In Netflix’s ‘Otherhood ‘ Angela Bassett Agrees That She Was Robbed Of An Oscar For Playing Tina Turner [ione_media_gallery src=”https://hellobeautiful.com” id=”2854525″ overlay=”true”]
