For most people, funerals are a somber affair. You wear all black, someone gives a heartfelt eulogy, tears are shed. Some more unconventional types might opt for a “celebration of life” type affair, where attendees are encouraged to dress colorfully and share their favorite memories of the deceased at a more upbeat gathering. Who would have thought that a fashion designer’s funeral would be any different?


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Of course, after seeing this viral video taken at a recent funeral, it all makes a perfect kind of sense: One last runway walk for the dearly departed to honor his life’s work. A woman named Erica L. Carrington recently shared a video taken at the wake of Newark-based fashion designer Vernest Moore, who passed away in October at the age of 62.


In the caption, Carrington wrote, “I was hyperventilating almost up until the VERY MOMENT I hit the runway ‍. To say that this was one of THEE MOST CHALLENGING things I have had to do would be an understatement. I CAN’T BELIEVE this would be my final walk for you, so I WON’T! From now on…even if I’m not walking FOR YOU, I’ll be walking WITH YOU, because I know you’ll ALWAYS be with me.”


In the video, Carrington can be seen strutting down a red carpet in a long gray dress — designed by Moore — and silver boots, with the camera slowly following her until it shows her walking toward an open casket where she stops, poses and blows the deceased a kiss before turning toward the crowd, posing once more and walking off.



Since the video went viral, Carrington has been interviewed by both TMZ Live and Dish Nation. She told TMZ that she had seen the mixed responses online, with some calling the stunt disrespectful, but she clarified that Moore had shared his wishes for the three-day celebration with a close friend before he died.


An Instagram commenter summed it up perfectly, writing, “NOW, THIS IS HOW YOU HONOR & CELEBRATE SOMEONES LIFE!!!! I love everything about this. Funerals are intended to be celebrations, and this was so creative and over the top. I don’t know him but I’m sure he’d have it no other way. Sending you love and condolences. You ate this!!!❤️”