Meet Kerby Jean-Raymond’s Hairstylist—And the Woman Behind the Show-Stealing Braids at Pyer Moss

“It was nice to be able to demonstrate what black hair is supposed to look like, as opposed to being overlooked in the industry,” Guyanese celebrity hairstylist and barber Nigella Miller wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post the day after Pyer Moss’s SS20 experience. “I was able to express that on so many levels.” From the choir singing a mix of gospel, hip-hop and soul music, to the rock-star clothes, and of course, the hair; Kerby Jean-Raymond’s SS20 showcase, SISTER, was a magical encapsulation of black joy and creativity.

Alongside lead hairstylist Jon Reyman, Miller was the creative director behind each hair look on the Pyer Moss muses. There were locs, styled wigs, and natural hair, as well as braids featuring hair jewelry by Johnny Nelson (the same artist who created the buttons on Kerby Jean-Raymond and Lena Waithe’s suits at the 2019 Met Gala). Although hard to believe, Miller and Reyman came up with these detailed hair looks a mere “couple days before the show” during the hair test. “The day of, we gave direction to the team in terms of what it’s supposed to look like,” Miller says.

It was a no brainer for Jean-Raymond to have Miller help complete his vision at Kings Theater: in addition to owning Nigella’s Hair Studio in Brooklyn (where she does all hair textures), celebrity styling, and editorial work, the New York-raised hairstylist and barber regularly does Jean-Raymond’s hair. “We’ve been friends since high school,” Miller says. The two attended the High School of Fashion Industries in Manhattan. “At the time we never thought we would collaborate in this way, but it’s surreal to be able to work on something so special together,” Miller says. “I was brought to tears after the show because everything was beyond my wildest dream as a woman of color in this industry.”

Up next, Miller is launching her first hair jewelry line, AFRA. In development over the last four years, the collection consists of hair cuffs that can be worn on locs and braids, and hair combs to be placed on coffee tables as art work—all made of gold. “I was inspired by ancient Egyptian royalty and how they wore gold in their hair,” Miller explains. “I want black people to feel like royalty every day. We deserve to look and feel as powerful as we truly are.”

AFRA will be available on hairbystylistnigella.com after New York Fashion Week.

Originally Appeared on Vogue