An emotional gesture or a violation of the sanctity of the dead? Depends on who you ask.
A video that has gone viral begins with New Jersey model Erica L. Carrington strutting down a red carpet, seemingly innocently. When she reaches the end of the runway, however, viewers' jaws were on the ground.
Mimicking a fashion show, Carrington walked until the end, where she stood next to the open casket of the late fashion designer, Ernest Moore.
She blew a kiss to the deceased designer, striking a pose before gracefully walking back down the runway in what can only be described as a ballroom of a funeral.
The event, which took place on November 10, was captured on video and shared online, leaving viewers both stunned and divided.
"Is this a fashion show funeral?" asks a bewildered viewer in the comment section of the viral video, which has garnered over 631,000 views.
"Was this a real funeral. Seriously was it. Or part of the show," speculated another user.
It was indeed a real funeral. Carrington, who had modeled for Moore on numerous occasions, defended her unique tribute to the designer during a reception held at the Newark Art Museum, telling TMZ Live that Moore's loved ones said goodbye to him the way he would have wanted, and that's all that matters.
"I was hyperventilating almost up until the VERY MOMENT I hit the runway," she confessed on Instagram. "I CAN’T BELIEVE this would be my final walk for you."
הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם
Carrington donned a silver gown from Moore's "Ve'Moore Couture" collection, complemented by a dazzling headpiece that elegantly hung down.
Family and friends gathered to celebrate Moore's life at three dedicated events following his passing on October 22. In the documented ceremony, mournful funeral music was replaced with upbeat house music, ensuring that the designer was sent off in style. The video shows Moore's open casket, draped in a fur blanket.
הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם
Carrington confessed to TMZ Live that she gets emotional thinking that she had shared some of the designer's final moments with him. However, not everyone was supportive of her unconventional tribute. "Who does this at a funeral?!" wrote one viewer. Another expressed concern, saying, "It's just too much. A solemn moment is being turned into a joke."
הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם
Nevertheless, there were those who appreciated Carrington's bold gesture. "I hope when my time comes, my creative friends, like you, will honor me with this kind of energy," one supportive commenter wrote, with another agreeing, "This is the perfect way to celebrate and honor someone's life."
A fashion designer chimed in, saying, "It's beautiful. As a designer myself, I would love for my models to pay tribute to my memory in this way."