Model Erica L. Carrington has mounted a strong defense for her runway walk at her friend Vernest Moore’s open-casket viewing, where she paid tribute to the late designer by showcasing one of his silver Ve’Moore Couture designs at the Newark Museum of Art in New Jersey on November 10.
The event, termed a “red carpet viewing,” was one of three gatherings honoring Moore, who passed away on October 22, a few weeks after his 62nd birthday. Despite facing backlash for the unconventional runway tribute, Carrington stood by her high-fashion homage to the late designer.
She defended her tribute, stating that they honored Moore in a manner he would have appreciated. Sharing a video of the catwalk on Instagram, she intimated that it was one of the “most challenging things” she has ever done, but, what mattered most was the significance of the moment to her, as reported by the Daily Mail.
She expressed disbelief at her final walk for Moore and vowed to continue walking with him in spirit. Carrington, adorned in a beaded headdress and a long-sleeve silver gown designed by Moore, struck a pose before confidently walking down the stairs and onto the red carpet toward Moore’s open casket.
The poignant moment was captured in footage that showed the emotional tribute to the late designer. After blowing a kiss and striking a final pose, Carrington walked to her seat during the tribute, and the video of the experience went viral on Twitter, now X.
The footage, originally posted on X, left viewers stunned as Carrington strutted up to an open casket. The unexpected nature of the video prompted surprise and various reactions from viewers, with comments expressing disbelief at the unexpected turn of events.
One social media user noted that their “jaw dropped” upon seeing the coffin in the video of Carrington’s runway walk at the open-casket viewing. However, some defended Carrington, suggesting that the tribute aligned with the late designer’s likely wishes.
Carrington explained to TMZ that Moore had planned the “three-day celebration” of his life with a friend before he died. She added that those at the viewing were aware that her catwalk was a tribute.
