In the good ole days of the 1990s, Hip Hop culture was at its prime, and Misa Hylton was at the forefront of the movement. The pioneer executed her b-girl/b-boy fly style from the streets of New York City, styling music legends such as Jodeci, Mary J. Blige, Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott, and Lil’ Kim.

As black music changed genres from Hip Hop to New Jack Swing R&B, the self-proclaimed Fashion Architect encountered magnanimous success with her magic touch. Her life reads like a page-turning novel full of “You had to be there” moments! The multi-talented creative is also behind The Misa Hylton Fashion Academy, which she founded in 2012 in New York City, the Global Creative Partner of luxury design house MCM, and a certified Life Coach. Most recently, she was honored for her contributions to the culture in The Remix: Hip Hop x Fashion, the Hip Hop Documentary that debuted at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. Hylton is at the top of her game and herstory continues!

For those in this industry who do not know you, would you mind a brief on your trajectory in fashion, and your calling to be a Fashion Architect?

I’m someone who has been responsible for shaping the style, creating trends, and for being a great interpreter of Hip Hop culture, starting from the 1990s. I single-handedly changed the style orientation of how R&B superstars dressed on stage and co-created with some of the best in that genre, which led to many amazing opportunities.

Your success was very prominent in the 1990s during the height of Hip Hop and New Jack Swing. How much did the music influence the style back then?

Yes, the music influenced the style, but the style also influenced the music. The lyrics gave us an opportunity to visualize a fashion story and express ourselves. They both influenced each other. For me, music has always been a big inspiration; it takes me deep into my imagination and my creative place. When I hear music, I see fashion stories, I see wardrobe. The music melody, the rhythm, the lyrics, the words, the energy interpreted the culture. And that’s how I was able to tell my story- through my designs and wardrobe styling.

Share one moment, when you knew you made it and were recognized solely for your talent and not your associations. What was that like?

I’ve created with so many dynamic, iconic and fabulous people. I co-create with them, and my associations have mostly been about co-creating. Around the time of Lil’ Kim, I felt cemented as a fashion stylist. Before that, I was much younger and didn’t think of it as a career or that I would have longevity. Kim had a huge level of success and created a lane that did not exist for a female rapper: to be featured in Vogue and have Donatella Versace fly us out to Milan to her home and be seated front row at fashion shows, and have other major brands reach out to us both. I started to pay attention. It became very clear. I knew with Mary (J. Blige), who she broke down barriers as well. We were doing Pepsi commercials together and other amazing high- end opportunities followed suit after that. I did things I couldn’t have imagined experiencing as a young African American woman in this business.

As a Fashion Architect, what has changed in the life of a stylist comparing the golden era of hip hop to present day?

We have many more opportunities to showcase our work due to social media and technology advancements. I was never recognized or credited properly in the 90s for my contributions, but I can make sure that now, because of social media, I’m able to promote myself and other stylists are able to do that as well. As an African American woman, there are many more opportunities. We are acknowledged in a different way now, and that was a huge difference.

Do you feel like you were a hidden figure?

Yes, I definitely felt like a hidden figure. I wasn’t always acknowledged and celebrated, but it didn’t really bother me honestly, because I felt it was my job and I had fulfillment in it. I never had the feeling that I wanted to be “known” or that people should know, because my people knew. I didn’t get into creating for that reason – my purpose was just to create, not to create for recognition. Now I’m creating legacy in divine timing, because now I’m finally getting the recognition I deserved over 20 years later.

Congratulations on your collaboration with MCM as MCM Global Creative Partner-such a great accomplishment! How did that opportunity present itself and what advice would you give to emerging stylists that are interested in striving towards such an incredible possibility?

I was presented with the opportunity to create custom designs for an upcoming event by the VP of MCM Worldwide. Upon meeting everyone, I felt an immediate connection. It was organic and authentic, which is rare in this business. They were very supportive of my brand and my contributions to fashion and felt the merger of the two would make for a successful venture. I love working with them. The heritage of the brand and how family oriented they are. Everyone knows me by name and I know them. They give me creative control and allow me to be free. MCM has always embraced our community and the culture of Hip Hop. As far as advice: “Perfect your craft, build your relations, stay creative, and you’ll always find yourself where you need to be.”

Please talk about the Misa Hylton Fashion Academy, and how important it was to create such a necessary pillar of influence?

Where would I be if I didn’t have support or an amazing team around me to get me where I am today? Education and sharing my experience, via being a role model and teaching the business side of fashion styling, was my way to personally give back and support others. There are so many aspects to the styling umbrella. You have Wardrobe, Editorial, Celebrity, TV/Film, Costume Design, and Personal Shopping. Not every avenue is for everybody and you have to choose the lane that is right for you. All require different skill sets, work schedules and certain culture dynamics you have to adhere to.

What would you like the world to know about Misa Hylton and what legacy would you like to leave behind?

That Misa Hylton is someone who is very strong and strength comes from, unfortunately, experience and difficult situations. I understand what it means to be challenged, and I also understand what it means to be celebrated. Regarding my legacy, I want to be known as someone who is a giver, bringing others along with me. I am kind, someone who cares, with a set intention in love and light. Lastly, as an amazing creator with my children being the primary source of my inspiration and pride.