Move over, Kim, there’s a new Internet darling on the scene. And she is dressed to impress. Kyemah McEntyre, 18, aimed to “break the Internet” after sharing photos of her one-of-a-kind prom gown, a stunning long-sleeve creation featuring a vibrant African print, full skirt and plunging V-neckline.
She wore the look with a voluminous Afro, gold headpiece and a thick gold necklace fit for royalty. As an added bonus to her flyness, she sketched and designed the gown herself! (Scroll down to see her full look and the original sketch for the gown.)
McEntyre, a student at Cicely Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts in New Jersey, has amassed a loyal online following since sharing the photos last week. The images have been shared more than 13,000 times on Instagram and nearly 7,000 times on Twitter (and counting).
The budding designer is set to attend the acclaimed Parsons School of Design in New York City in the fall. In an Instagram post describing her inspiration as a designer, McEntyre, who describes herself as “undoubtedly of African Descent,” writes, “This is for always being labeled as ‘ugly’ or ‘angry.’”
She continues, “I'm Kyemah McEntyre, I am 18 years old and I am undoubtedly of African descent. As an artist I have a completely different point of view compared to most individuals. I am extremely analytical and observant. Throughout the world, we have people who do not notice each other's essence and humanity. We Stunt our collective spiritual growth by allowing assumptions and stereotypes to cloud our mind and thus our physical reality. We let these negative ideas get the best of us, and in turn a world of isolation is manifested by our lack of sensitivity and desire to sympathize with each other. This results in a world in which people live within the confines of their own space, isolated from each other and separated from the rest of the world. Sometimes we get trapped in our own prejudice ways. We don't notice how the idea of a particular type of person changes the way we live our lives. The most creative people are the ones who step out of their comfort zone and take advantage of the world around them.
“My abilities as an artist allows me to experience the benefits that versatility fosters. Being exposed to all kinds of people and cultures is the muse for my artwork. I am an aspiring artist who is very passionate about the connection between art and the world. I believe that in order for society to gain a wider horizon, we have to be willing to acknowledge other people from differences, beliefs, morals, and values. I would like to take this moment to say that you have to understand who you are because if you leave that space open, you leave your identity in the hands of society. Don't let anyone define you. Beautiful things happen when you take pride in yourself. #blackgirlsrock #kyebreaktheinternet”
#Yasss! We’re loving her confidence and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this talented young woman. Fashion world, get ready.