Erykah Badu Is a Great Stylist and Future Gets a Classical Remix at Pyer Moss Fall 2016

Jihan Forbes
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Badu putting her mark on Pyer Moss Fall 2016. Photo: @pyermoss​

I was already excited before settling into Milk Studios to take in Kerby Jean-Raymond’s latest for Pyer Moss. The designer collaborated with Erykah Badu, who lent her styling talents to the show this season. The combination of two undeniably great talents was enough to make braving temps in the teens and winds so strong they were literally pushing me down 14th street worth it.

Once I got inside, it was clear we had not made the frigid trek to Milk in vain. A small orchestra, The Nouveau Classical Project, played as fur-wrapped show goers in inappropriate footwear shuffled in. As the show began, an all-black choir took the risers, delighting everyone with renditions of Fetty Wap and Future songs, remixed and arranged opera style. Never did I think I would have the opportunity to enjoy Future’s “Trap N****s” in four-part harmony, but here we are. And the audience was audibly entertained – it’s hard not to find the humor in hearing a chorus that sounds like it belongs in a cathedral sing, “f**k what you heard, God blessin’ all the trap n****s.”

As for the clothes, Badu certainly proved herself in the styling department – unsurprising as the woman’s dopeness seems to know no bounds. T magazine notes that she delved into some of her own accessories to outfit the models, and her presence was definitely felt, particularly in the button-festooned military-style toppers and round-frame sunglasses. For Jean-Raymond’s “Double Bind” collection (which touched on themes of depression) we saw his signature aesthetic mixing street and sportswear. Sweatpants mingled with militaristic jackets, graphic sweatshirts were piled over oversized cowl-turtlenecks. Some models were styled in overalls, whose puffy texture reminded us of full bib ski pants. For a Fall collection, outerwear is DJ-Khaled-status key and Jean-Raymond provided us with several options: smart tailored jackets, bomber jackets, puffers, structured peacoats and cool parkas. Masking tape wrapped around the models’ boots was the finishing detail of each look.

All in all, it was a strong showing from Jean-Raymond, and now I have the urge to petition Future and Fetty Wap to get a choir to sing their songs from now on.

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