Roots to Runway: How Songstress KIRBY is Amplifying Southern Style
The American South is rarely credited for its contributions to the fashion industry, but it has always been a quiet powerhouse, influencing everything from couture to underground streetwear.
Photo by Folajimi Famosaya
A clear embodiment of this cultural impact is singer-songwriter Kirby Lauryen. Born in Memphis and raised in Mississippi, the artist known simply as KIRBY gained industry buzz with her 2020 debut EP, Sis, although her musical career started long before that. The project earned her critical acclaim, a spot as a Tidal Rising Spotlight Artist, and partnerships with brand giants like Converse. If you still don’t recognize her name, you may recognize her pen—she co-wrote Rihanna, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney’s FourFiveSeconds.
Her music captures the grit and grace of Southern culture, and her style acts as a temporal bridge, honoring the legacy of her ancestors while simultaneously projecting a futuristic aesthetic. From her hair, boasting its natural texture and celebrating Afrocentric style, to her impeccable fashion taste, never shying away from vibrant colors, her style balances an organically ethereal beauty. To fully grasp her aesthetic, look no further than the official music video for her track “Reparations.”
If you missed her run as a special guest on Big K.R.I.T.’s recent tour, you can still hear her sultry vocals on "Saving Grace," the theme song for the new live-action Spider-Noir series on Prime Video. Catch her live at the Blue Note Los Angeles on August 20, and stream her discography on any major platform.
Ultimately, KIRBY is living proof that the South doesn’t promote trends, it sets them.
Photo by Folajimi Famosaya
