Nomä New York Uses "Peace" To Pass the Baton
Amon Ogyiri photographed for Nomä New York
cc: Peace Noir Zine by Nomä New York
What I love most about a modern-day Black History Month is the intentional rollout of material from Black creators, designers, authors, curators, and everyone in between. Black History Month creates room for Us to be able to present our very best to those who inspire us every day. Luxury fashion brand, Nomä New York made sure to deposit their share with the debut of their latest collection, Peace Noir III: Marathon For Equality.
Founded by Bronx-native Amon Ogyiri in 2014, Nomä New York hosted an intimate art and design presentation for New York City. Peace Noir III was Ogyiri’s way of honoring and creating Black History. Through this new collection, Amon pays homage to those who have led us and now pass the baton to us to continue this pursuit toward Black peace.
Usually, Friday nights in a post-quarantined New York City mainly consist of binge-watching/eating/scrolling and participating in select socially distant activities. But on February 5th, I was really outside. I hadn’t been outside [engaging in large social activities] since February 2020 for ‘First Saturdays”, a monthly event hosted by Brooklyn Museum, and here I was celebrating my 1 year “I Survived A Global Pandemic”-iversary coincidentally on the first Friday in February. I was happy to be back outside in the name of the Arts.
“Marathon For Black Peace”
I spent a few moments gazing at each frame that hung on the walls, and to my pleasant surprise Amon approached me and sparked a healthy conversation about social impact and the “baton” that was passed to all of us especially following the murder of George Floyd. We spoke about the 5 Black fists ranging in complexions protruding from the walls of the space; a visual display titled “Marathon For Black Peace” that took the likeness of the Black fists John Carlos and Tommie Smith raised during the 1968 Olympics. This bold display addressed the ways that we’ve all picked up the baton toward Black peace and symbolized the shared marathon we are all running toward Black Peace.
L-R Peter Norman, Tommie Smith, and John Carlos, at the 1968 Olympics. Usually gone unmentioned, Australian athlete Peter Norman was alienated from Australia’s Olympic games for the rest of his life. in 2012, Australia pardoned him and issued an apology.
cc: wikipedia
Black Athletes have always had a unique advantage in having their voices heard on a socio-political level in front of vastly large audiences. In a country where our Black bodies are itemized before our voices are ever counted, athletes like Tommie Smith, John Carlos, Muhammad Ali, Colin Kaepernick, and most recently Naomi Osaka have shown how their usually silent and simple demonstrations of Black Power have often been underestimated but proved to be able to make a bold impact in bringing awareness to racial injustice. Amon tells the CDFA in a recent interview, “My vehicle of raising awareness is through my art and clothing.” While he might not use a helmet, racket or cleats, Amon is using how he sees the world to evoke change. The works of hands like these are the stories we love to share in Her Neck Of The Woods.
Additional featured art installations were photos of models in Nomä (an acronym for Nostalgic Objective Minimal Aesthetic) adorning the walls and even a varsity jacket hanging from the ceiling. Also on display was a painting in progress of the late Nipsey Hussle whose “Marathon” term is used in the exhibit’s title and description. My favorite piece was the weathered and stained American flag that hung backward from Black hands. When I asked the intention behind the flag’s orientation, Amon simply replied, “America is backwards.” and mentioned that the Black hands holding the flag signified that “this is our country too.” I couldn’t agree more.
It seemed that many other guests shared the same enthusiasm toward being outside, but it would take some getting used to. We had all came out to see a presentation and after a highly anticipated wait, our presentation began.
Sounds from albums like “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”, “Watch The Throne” and “DAMN” flowed throughout the room while Black bodies fluidly moved from wall to wall in individual synchronization, showcasing the new pieces from the Peace Noir III collection. You could hear guests audibly “calling dibs” on their favorite pieces. While I smirked at their inability to contain their excitement, I too made mental notes on the pieces I could see living comfortably in my wardrobe. See below for a few HNOW Favorites:
Peace Noir Flight Jacket ($650)
Peace Noir Flight Trouser ($550)
Untitled Top
Article.009 Denim Field Pant ($350)
Peace Noir III: Marathon For Equality, brought to us by Nomä New York is an expression of what it means to have life influence art. The artwork will be available for viewing at their studio until Sunday, February 21 and you can shop the collection here. As New York “opens up”, I look forward to ways we can safely regroup in NYC to have more events like these. As Blackness continues to be a political and social statement, I’m excited to see the ways we will carry the baton on this Marathon toward Black Peace. Nomä New York has made their deposit this Black History Month. How will you?
“As I look around, I try to imagine a world where things could have been different - a world where we truly worked with and uplifted one another. Well, a Black man can dream. Despite all of these transgressions, we have been able to rise to the occasion and proclaim our humanity and brilliance. ”