Your Friends in New YorkRESHAPING COMMUNITY IN FASHION INDUSTRY Manuela Nora Medic December 20, 2021 Designers, Fashion Weeks, MESSFashion, News Early in 2020, while many tragic events occurred, an idea was starting to blossom into reality.Kerby Jean-Raymond, the founder and fashion designer of Pyer Moss, approached the Frenchluxury conglomerate Kering to develop a platform called Your Friends in New York, which will becomea stepping stone for rising designers of colour. In the beginning, not much was known about the project, nor much was talked about it either. Itgrew silently, intending to guide and push forward to building up a name for small, independentbusinesses. Kerby started a process of reshaping the fashion world and creating more space foryoung designers. With the programme, emerging stars are educated and mentored on structuringa brand, business, production and aided with sponsorships. But, what is also important is thefact that they take care of designers’ health, that many take for granted during stressful and hecticsituations. Credit: Ricardo Rivera/Hypebeast Your Friends in New York is a project every city needs. It is about encouraging diversity, creativityand not hiding the talents that are ought to be displayed in front of everyone. Representing freedomand proudly removing obstacles on the way.