Kerby Jean-Raymond, the creative director of Pyer Moss, does not pull any punches when it comes to his collections. They can be brash and in your face and S/S 16 does the same. It's inspired party by Ota Benga, a Congolese man who was in the Bronx zoo as a human exhibit in 1906. Kerby enlisted a friend of his to do original art to help provide the collection with the imagery and art that would pay homage to the past—the hand-painted leather jacket at the tail-end is incredibly limited and exclusive to a handful of stores. The rest of the collection is fairly typical Pyer Moss, with some added eccentricities and details. There are hanging grosgrain on some pieces, patched and repaired shirting throughout and the arm band motif that represents solidarity with those who have been victims of police brutality. Perhaps that makes you a bit uncomfortable, Kerby knows that. But he said the time was right for the subject. Outerwear comes full of pockets and signature mesh pieces along with leather jackets and athletic-inspired gear—Kerby says he wears compression pants and sneakers everyday. Now, he's adding womenswear to the mix with a September show during women's NYFW. We'll see what the future has in store.
