- 6 months ago
Join us for an exclusive conversation between legendary stylist and fashion architect Misa Hylton and ESSENCE's Vice President of Content, Nandi Howard. Misa will take us on her journey of shaping the fashion landscape and share how she continues to break barriers while maintaining her unique flair in a competitive market.
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LifestyleTranscript
00:00Good evening!
00:08How y'all feeling out there?
00:10Y'all feeling all right?
00:13Okay, so I am so, so excited to be here.
00:17I would like to welcome you to Essence Fashion House 2024.
00:22Give it up for Essence, y'all.
00:25I have been doing Fashion Week since I was 18.
00:28I'll be 40 this year, and baby, Essence, you did a thing.
00:34This is a thing.
00:36So, some of you might know me.
00:38I am an actress.
00:39I'm also a model.
00:41I'm also a host.
00:43I'm also a TV personality, a philanthropist, a mom, and so many other things.
00:47But tonight, I am Eva, and I am your host.
00:49That is what we are doing.
00:51I am so honored and so thrilled to be here this evening,
00:55to celebrate all the many ways that black creatives are bringing excellence to the luxury fashion market.
01:03So, many of you know that this year's theme for Essence Fashion House is the house of luxury undefined,
01:12which is basically what we do.
01:14We break it down and make it good again, right?
01:16So, that means all night long, you'll be hearing conversations, seeing presentations.
01:22You'll also be participating in activities.
01:25Yes, we're going to get some activities and mingling going on tonight.
01:29And we're going to highlight what it means to define luxury style and fashion on your own terms,
01:35the way we do it, unapologetically.
01:38Like you, sis, in the green with the glasses, came out with the Bantu knots.
01:41Yes, yes, like you.
01:45You are luxury undefined.
01:47You are the theme of the evening, baby.
01:49As a matter of fact, I know us culturally.
01:53We don't like to go to a party and not know who's there, who's cooking, how long it's going to be.
01:59So, I'm just going to let you know what you have in store for this evening.
02:02So, you can be prepared and decide when you want to take a bathroom break and how are we going to play this party.
02:08My best friend is in the building.
02:09Hello, Kevin Taylor.
02:10Yes, so we have some fashion talks.
02:16We have amazing fashion designers, some of the biggest trendsetters of the game in the world are here today.
02:21We are giving you a front row seat as we bring back creativity from life through conversation.
02:29And you're definitely in for a treat, like I said.
02:32Some of the industry's most influential voices are here.
02:35And they will share their stories about how they have pushed the boundaries of what luxury means.
02:41And not just here in the U.S.
02:43As you know, baby, we beautiful black people, we worldwide.
02:47So, we everywhere.
02:48We have our SoCo Market.
02:51If you haven't seen it, you must go by where you can shop a bunch of amazing black-owned, I emphasize black-owned, I emphasize black-owned businesses.
03:03Emphasis.
03:04Amazing products, some that you might know, some that you might not know, you might want to try.
03:11We, as black people, are different.
03:13We make things for us, by us.
03:16So, go and look at something new.
03:18You might find a shea butter that you didn't know, help your eczema.
03:21You never know.
03:22So, take yourself out to the SoCo Market and get into what we are making because we are thriving out here.
03:29And we are elevating what we do, luxury undefined.
03:34Plus, there's also a photo experience.
03:37So, you look fabulous.
03:38You can't let the night go on without, you know, making sure everyone sees and commemorates this moment.
03:43So, you can show off some of your gorgeous looks tonight, and we're going to have fun games and give everybody an idea of your personal fashion take.
03:53Another thing that you'll get tonight is a networking hour.
03:56Now, I told you I've been in the business about 20, 22 years, and it's not because I'm cute, and it's not because I speak well.
04:04It's because of who I know.
04:06Networking and connections matter.
04:08So, this networking hour, I'm asking you, beautiful creatives, from textile specialists to pattern makers to designers to creative directors, whatever it is you do in the arts, because all of this is art.
04:23The way these chairs are on this stage is art.
04:25I am art.
04:26You are art.
04:27So, as we are here in this network space, let everybody see how fabulous you are, but do me a favor.
04:34Remember, promise me, commit to me, that you will meet one new person today.
04:40And it could be for fashion reasons, because we have a tribe.
04:46Your fashion tribe is right here.
04:48So, make sure you get to know someone.
04:50And you can start off real simple, like, hi, I'm Eva.
04:53I'm single.
04:54Hi.
04:55Super easy peasy, but that's what we're doing.
04:58So, we're going to have a networking little moment, okay?
05:00So, there's that.
05:03And I'm going to ask everyone, like I said, to commit to at least meeting one person.
05:09Now, you already know the DJ's here.
05:11The vibrations, the frequency's already high.
05:13It's as short as this little skirt I'm wearing right now.
05:16So, that's going to be spinning all night long.
05:18We have mocktails on deck.
05:20We have a few dance performances, some nice surprises, a little bit of razzle, maldazzle, all of those things.
05:28Basically, we're going to have us a time tonight, all right?
05:32Okay, so, there is something that I need.
05:36I need a couple of things.
05:39I need to make sure that as your phones are out and we're going viral, because we are streaming,
05:44I need you to make sure that you use the proper hashtag.
05:48Hashtag Essence FH 2024.
05:54That's Essence FH for Fashion House 2024.
05:59Do not forget, I need it when I go into Instagram and algorithms.
06:02I want to see thousands of posts.
06:04Got it?
06:05Assignment.
06:07Got it?
06:08Good.
06:08Now, of course, none of this that you will experience or see tonight would be possible without support.
06:17Like, I talked about that village and that tribe earlier.
06:20This year, Essence Fashion House partners are Diet Coke, McDonald's, Black and Positively Golden Change of Fashion.
06:29I just love that title.
06:30And Smart Water.
06:31So, let's give it up for them.
06:33A huge thank you for your support.
06:38So, that's just a little bit of housekeeping, ground rules, letting you know what's going on.
06:43Get ready.
06:45And that's it.
06:46It's very simple.
06:47So, for our first conversation tonight, it's all about what it really takes to maintain your individuality in the luxury fashion market as a designer.
06:56And as I look around the room, we are all beautifully melanated, but the difference, the uniqueness in all of us exists.
07:05And as a fashion designer, what does that mean?
07:08How does that look?
07:09And how do you recreate and keep doing it and keep doing it and keep being inspired?
07:13Well, that's what we're going to talk about.
07:15So, here to get us into that topic, please help me welcome Essence Ventures Vice President of Content, Nandi Howard.
07:25That's Nandi Howard, everybody.
07:27And fashion architect and founder, the one, the only, of Misa Hilton Academy, my girl, the epic trendsetter, Misa Hilton!
07:43Hello, hello, everyone.
07:47Okay, so, my name is...
07:49Oh, here she goes.
07:51Hey, Misa!
07:52How's that?
07:55Hi, everyone.
08:00You get comfy up here.
08:02Right, right.
08:03It's a lot of people in here.
08:05Yes.
08:05How y'all doing?
08:07So, a quick, quick story.
08:09I was the fashion editor, what, in 2019, and my very first article in print was an interview with Misa.
08:17So, this is full circle.
08:18Full circle moment.
08:19We love those, right?
08:20So, let's get into it.
08:22So, as you all know, our theme of Fashion House this year is luxury and define.
08:27And as black curators, architects, stylists, we define luxury.
08:32And I think that in the recent years, other communities have designed what makes us great.
08:39Misa here, being one of the creators and, you know, figures in the industry that have really, I feel like, advanced our identity, is here with us now.
08:51And you really embody what this theme is.
08:54So, really grateful for you to be here.
08:55So, we know your career from Little Kim to, you know, being the global creative partner of MCM.
09:05But one thing that we are super interested in is your school, your Misa Hilton School of Academy for Fashion Academy.
09:11What inspired you just to invest in the next generation?
09:16I mean, I had to do it.
09:18I know how hard it is to navigate these spaces.
09:20I have accumulated so much knowledge and so many resources.
09:27And I just wanted to make sure that we were able to get the proper education, curriculum, understand the business side of fashion and things of that nature.
09:37So, it was just natural for me to get back in that way.
09:40And I feel like I'm a teacher at heart on many things, but I'm also a teacher.
09:44And before I started the academy, I was a teacher to my assistants and to my team and things like that.
09:51I was always sharing the knowledge that I, you know, was given.
09:54Over 33 years, I've been in this business, y'all.
09:57Hello.
10:01And so, you know, I think that's what we have to do is give back in that way to our community, to our people,
10:08to make sure that not only do we get a seat at the table, we're able to stay in that seat and build longevity and really build careers and, you know, the staying power.
10:20And you can't get that without a proper education.
10:23Definitely.
10:23And mentorship is important, too, because we have a different experience in fashion, right?
10:28It's different than other people, other races.
10:31And so, just really having someone who understands what your walk will be like and those, you know, different challenges that we all face, unfortunately.
10:40Absolutely.
10:40I love that.
10:41So, when you hear the word authenticity and you think about today's fashion industry, what's the first thing that comes to mind for you and why?
10:50Hmm.
10:51When I hear the word authenticity, I think about realness.
10:56That's what comes up.
10:57I think about confidence and showing up in your uniqueness and owning it.
11:07Like, that's authenticity, being you and being proud of it and being confident in that and not, you know, letting anyone else kind of dim that confidence or that authenticity.
11:19So, I think about, like, power.
11:21Yeah, definitely, definitely.
11:22And kind of jumping back to our theme, which is Luxury Undefined, how do you personally define luxury, especially in this, you know, as we're discussing authenticity?
11:33Is Ms. June Ambrose still here?
11:35I think I saw her walk out.
11:36I define June Ambrose as luxury.
11:39Yeah.
11:39Jason Rembert, Shiona Tarini, Worry Vice, Faye Noel, Brandice Daniels, Naomi Campbell, Tiana Taylor.
11:52I could go on in Essence.
11:56Exactly.
11:57You know, we are luxury, right?
11:59So, black people, to me, are very luxurious people.
12:03But, you know, it's about creativity, craftsmanship, brand DNA, the history of a brand, if we're talking about wardrobe or wardrobe, and just things that are aspirational, that you aspire to.
12:18You know what I mean?
12:19Yeah.
12:20I love that.
12:21So, what would you say are some of the challenges with defining luxury on your own terms as a stylist and designer, and just how do you tackle the nuances of the industry?
12:32Challenges in defining luxury?
12:34Yeah.
12:34Just, I guess, when you were naming the designers and those sort of people that were in the industry, how do you think that they sort of overcome those challenges, and specifically speaking about them, but also you?
12:47I don't really find it to be a challenge because I operate in authenticity, and thank God I came up in a time before social media.
12:56I still don't care about opinions, but I know what it feels like to not have that pressure, you know what I mean?
13:03And I think that's why fashion, and especially black fashion in the 90s and early 2000s, is so powerful, and people want to continue to emulate it because it's so authentic and it's so real.
13:13And we were able to cook up and create without all the noise.
13:17The noise, yeah.
13:17And so, what was the actual question?
13:20You answered it, Abby.
13:22Basically, how have you tackled it?
13:24And I think you just saying not really listening to the noise.
13:26No, because if you're, you know, your fashion, your style, you know, that's your art, and you can't forget that that's your art.
13:36Who can tell you if it's right or if it's wrong?
13:37Maybe it might be for you, maybe it might not be for you, but you will find your audience, you know what I mean?
13:43So, how can you, you can't critique your personal art in that way.
13:47I mean, you want to be better and better and define it, but you can't let outside people change the gift that God gave you, the vision that God gave you that came into your mind, and that you brought it into reality, right?
14:01That's not easy to do, is it?
14:03No.
14:03So, all my creatives, you know what I mean.
14:05You get the inspiration, God speaks to you, your higher power, you see it.
14:10If you don't see it here, you can't bring it here, right?
14:13Exactly.
14:13So, who is anybody else to say if it's right or wrong, I like it or don't like it?
14:18Child, please.
14:19This is mine.
14:20Somebody will like it.
14:21My tribe will find me.
14:23I will speak to a specific audience, and that's it.
14:26That's how, you know, you've got to really believe in yourself and own your creativity, your talent, and your God-given gift.
14:34Yeah.
14:35Don't forget that, your God-given gift.
14:37Absolutely, absolutely.
14:39And so, kind of staying on that, the theme of being authentic and not really caring about the noise, I have to ask about you as you were going up in the industry.
14:49And how did you remain just creating new ideas and staying inspired?
14:55What was that drive for you as you were in your prime?
14:59I feel like early on, I was on purpose.
15:02And, you know, creating, I would do it for free.
15:05Whatever you would do for free, that's something that you really love, and that tells you what your purpose may be here on earth, right?
15:12And so, just my passion for any opportunity to create and any opportunity to share my art, you know, really kept me going.
15:22And it was like I didn't see myself doing anything else.
15:25And it's so funny because how I started, I didn't even know that this could be something I got paid for, a career, to have this much longevity.
15:33So, once I realized that and understood and got to learn about the business side and how to create business around my talent and around my gift, that became even more exciting because I'm making money now, right?
15:45And I know how to ask for the money.
15:47I know how to negotiate the money.
15:48I know how to create my budget so they make sense.
15:51And then I was able to build out a team, you know, and the team turned into other stylists that I managed and things like that.
16:00So, it's like the creativity and the opportunity to give back, you know, in a powerful and meaningful way to my people and to my community has always been my drive, even from early on.
16:11Because I started at 17 years old with Jodeci.
16:15Who remembers Jodeci?
16:16I do.
16:17I do.
16:17You know, it was a long time ago now.
16:20The baddest R&B group, right?
16:23So, you know, starting from then, and I had people around me who were confident.
16:30You know what I mean?
16:31Andre Harrell, he believed in young people.
16:34Let's give it up for Andre Harrell.
16:36Rest in peace, Andre.
16:37And being at Uptown Records, so young, and just the environment.
16:42It was like an urban Motown.
16:43At any given time, you see Heavy D and the boys in the hallway.
16:46Bobby Brown, Finesse and Sinquist, Father MC, Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Ali Shaw, Christopher Williams.
16:57You know, and they, we were all building together.
16:59So, just to be in an environment like that was super inspiring.
17:03So, I was like, oh, I've never been in a place like this.
17:06I'm not leaving.
17:08Right, right.
17:09No, I love that.
17:10I feel like especially just hearing your words and even about the industry is very inspiring.
17:15And just kind of hearing it and getting inspired by that personally.
17:21As a black woman in this market, what changes do you hope to see moving forward within the industry?
17:28You know, I have to be honest with you.
17:29I think that this is going to be an ongoing conversation that will always keep going because there's always a next level to get to.
17:40But I will tell you that things have improved greatly.
17:44There was a time when there was one black person in the room.
17:49Right?
17:49And then that created a lot of issues with everybody trying to be that one person in the room.
17:55But look at today, how many of us you see in these rooms and in these spaces.
18:00And so, it's important to bring someone in those rooms who deserves to be there.
18:05Right.
18:06Who ain't going to make you look crazy.
18:07Right?
18:08Who's really about their business.
18:09That's important too.
18:10But, you know, so although there are many changes I would like to continue to see, let's just take a moment and take in what's happening now.
18:19What's happening today is very, very different than when I started.
18:23You know, and even when you look at the fact that street wear is keeping luxury fashion alive.
18:30That's from us.
18:31Yeah.
18:32Right?
18:32So, look at that.
18:34I mean, there was a time in my styling work, it was like, oh, that's ghetto.
18:38Oh, that's too black.
18:40But that same style aesthetic is driving fashion and the world loves it and it's interesting.
18:47But see, that is why you have to believe in yourself and stay the course, you know, on your gift, your style aesthetic and believe in yourself.
18:56Because, you know, along my journey, there were times that people didn't want that around.
19:03It's like, okay, you got to this level, tone it down.
19:06You got to this level, cut your nails.
19:08Don't have hoop earrings on.
19:10Don't have this type of hairstyle.
19:11And that was what?
19:12And it was crazy because who made those rules, you know?
19:16And then as time progressed, you see the other magazines and you see them dressing like us and doing things that you may have seen Mary J. Blige in or Little Kim in or, you know, this one or that one.
19:29It's like, hold on, wait a minute.
19:32Right.
19:32Okay.
19:33But that lets you know how.
20:12And I oversee them.
20:37So that was a big deal for me to be able to even do that, right?
20:41And then I would say, I would say starting the Misa Hilton Fashion Academy.
20:49Yes, absolutely.
20:49So becoming an educator and being able to share this knowledge and mentorship and all that stuff that we do at the academy with people who really wanted to learn and be serious about the business and then becoming a global creative partner at MCM Worldwide.
21:04That was a very, very big moment for me because I didn't even think that was possible for someone like me.
21:10I couldn't even believe it the first six months.
21:12I was like, somebody's going to come and tell me it's over.
21:14And so I was really proud to have accumulated the knowledge and experience and the leadership skills and really understanding how to run a team and design in a professional way that I could even step into that role.
21:27So I'm going to tell you guys just take every job that you have very seriously because it's a stepping stone.
21:34I don't care if you don't feel like you are at where you want to be.
21:38You are learning something there that you are going to need later.
21:41And even if it is, that's right, clap, y'all.
21:44And even if it is to know how to one day run your company and got that person to tell that, if you didn't do it, how are you going to tell somebody else how to do it?
21:54You need to, you know, be educated across the board.
21:57And, yeah, and another big accomplishment is I have my book coming finally.
22:05Yes.
22:05And I'm really excited about that.
22:09I'm truly excited about sharing my life experience.
22:12Misa, the woman, right?
22:14I'm a lot of different things, but I'm a woman first.
22:17So I was a young girl, young lady, grown woman, and that side.
22:21So while you guys have known me publicly and for a lot of my styling work, there was, I want you guys to get to know the person that was behind all of that work and what I was going through and how I was developing and growing as a person.
22:35Thank you, Misa.
22:37Last question.
22:38And it's, I think everyone can get some advice from this, but what advice would you give to emerging designers about staying authentic while collaborating with some of these luxury houses or even trying to aim to be a luxury house?
22:53That's a great question.
22:53And so you know why that's such a great question?
22:56Because how do you maintain the integrity of your brand or your style aesthetic while working with a brand or a luxury fashion house that's established, right?
23:09So that's just like styling almost.
23:12If you call me to style you, I have to understand you.
23:15Right, right.
23:16I have to understand what your goals are.
23:17I have to understand what you want to achieve, what's important to you, and notice.
23:21So it's like the same thing.
23:22Understand the brand DNA, the history of the brand, and then you bring, you know, your style aesthetic or creativity to it.
23:29And sometimes it's not time for that.
23:32Y'all don't want to hear that.
23:33Everybody want to jump in the door and be doing everything.
23:35You know, sit back, learn, observe, learn how the operation works, what's important to them, because what you see, you may be missing some things.
23:44So it's nothing wrong with taking your time and being patient and understanding the brand DNA and what their goals are and what they are looking for.
23:53There's two common mistakes.
23:55One, I'm going to come in and turn it up and change and bring it.
23:58They don't want that.
23:59Nope.
24:00They don't want it so messed up right there.
24:03And then another mistake is not sharing how you think that the brand, you know, can grow and what you can bring, but also realizing when to do it and when not and what you're there to do.
24:16So it's a process, you know.
24:18Definitely.
24:18But education is always important.
24:20Paying attention, being observant, listening more than talking, and really understanding the value that you bring to every place that you go and become an asset.
24:34Be a diligent worker, a hard worker, a team player.
24:37One thing about me, I will take out the garbage, I will sweep, I will do whatever, because things have to get done and I want to get them done.
24:44So, you know, just, you know, show up with a spirit of being a servant, a servant for God blessing you with this wonderful opportunity, right?
24:57Nobody, I'm not too good to do certain things, so if you're just starting, you should not feel that way as well.
25:03And that's what I found with this generation.
25:05Everybody want to get to the top real fast, and you can Google things, and you can try to, but nothing like experience and really going through the motions, learning how to troubleshoot, watching someone above you, how they handle things.
25:23And you don't get in trouble for that, right?
25:25You get to watch, like, oh, I want to do that, or this work or that work, right?
25:28But there's value in that.
25:30I think internship is one of the greatest things.
25:32I love my internship.
25:32Definitely, yeah.
25:33Definitely.
25:34Well, Misa, it's been a pleasure speaking with you.
25:37That's it.
25:38I want to talk about some more stuff.
25:43I think for all of us, I want to say thank you, because a lot of things we're wearing in this room, a lot of the trends that we see on the runway are because of you.
25:52And I just want to say thank you.
25:54Thank you so much.
25:58And be courageous, y'all.
26:00Forget that.
26:01Be courageous.
26:02Just not cocky and not arrogant inside.
26:05Yeah.
26:05Like, have that inside, that confidence and that courage, because that's what it took for me to create.
26:10Like, really being like, I love it.
26:11I think it's amazing.
26:13And this is just, like, my art that I'm sharing with the world.
26:16Thank you, Misa.
26:17Can you let everybody know where we can follow you, find you?
26:20Don't follow me.
26:21No, I'm just putting you in.
26:23Say nice stuff, though, okay?
26:25Yeah.
26:25Be brutal out there.
26:26I'm at Misa Hilton on Instagram.
26:29I'm just joking, y'all.
26:29I'm funny.
26:30A lot of people don't know that.
26:33And Misa Hilton Fashion Academy, if you are interested in a fashion education, our program is for adults.
26:41But we also have a partnership with PVH Corp, where we work with college-aged young people.
26:49We have, we're in the Newark school system and the high schools.
26:54Yes, that's been such an amazing opportunity as well.
26:57And I have two really exciting partnerships.
26:59Come back.
26:59I can't even talk about it.
27:01But if you know someone, if you're interested and you really want to know how to, you know, how to scale in this business and, like, really understand the business side of fashion.
27:12We have fashion styling, streetwear program, fashion technology, the business of fashion, social studies, soul, show, S-O-L-E, a sneaker design course, and we're growing, so.
27:25Definitely.
27:25And one of your students actually had followed us at Fashion House.
27:28She helped last year.
27:30So definitely she's putting the work in.
27:33And can we get a bit of for Misa one more time?
27:39Thanks, everyone.
27:41We're done.
27:42I thought we had some questions.
27:43No, they said no Q&A, but can we, do you want to answer?
27:47Oh, yeah, I want a question.
27:49Who wants to ask me a question?
27:51Okay, we'll take one.
27:52We'll take one.
27:53Well, just one?
27:54Okay, two.
27:54Two.
27:55They're telling me no, but she wants to do it, so I'm going to do it.
27:58Okay.
27:58Okay.
28:00Hello, Misa.
28:01My name is Key.
28:02Hello, Key.
28:03I do like how you spoke about taking your time, just, you know, letting things pace out.
28:09So I'm currently, well, I've been running a fashion business for seven years, and then I decided to go to fashion school, like, after seven years to, like, really take my brand to the next level.
28:20So how do you operate through a business revamp and just trying to introduce a new part of your brand to customers who's already familiar with you?
28:31That's a great question.
28:33So how do you reinvent?
28:37Is that kind of what you're saying?
28:38You reinvent.
28:40You reinvent.
28:41That's it.
28:42You know, you can't be afraid to do it.
28:45Obviously, there's a business part of it that you have to plan out, right, so that it makes sense and that you're not losing any money and it's effective and it's reaching your target audience.
28:54But just reinvent, decide what that is and start to introduce it.
28:58But I would say don't go too far away from, like, your core.
29:02Like, think about brands, right?
29:03No matter what they do or which designers come in, you can still tell, like, Versace is Versace or Balmain is Balmain or Gucci is Gucci or, you know, whatever.
29:13We could go on and on and on for days.
29:15One more.
29:16One more.
29:17One more.
29:18Okay, I'll go over here.
29:19Sorry.
29:19Sorry.
29:20Hi.
29:23Love you.
29:24Oh, thank you.
29:26The one question that I want to ask you, when you say authenticity, what is something that makes you feel like a brand is authentic?
29:33Like, what is it that you look at that says, okay, that person's different.
29:36They're doing something new.
29:37They're not copying somebody else.
29:39You could tell that right off the bat, right?
29:41So what makes a brand authentic is it's set apart from other brands, and you really understand the brand DNA as soon as you see it, and you'll be able to identify it anywhere that you go.
29:54And so if there are brands that mimic or copycat other brands, then, you know, that's not authentic.
30:03You know, like, really?
30:04And I think it's so easy if you're not confident in your own direction, talent, art, gift, whatever, that you want to lean towards something that you know has been successful or that you know that people will like, and that's lazy.
30:20Okay, guys, well, please give it up for Misa.
30:24Bye, y'all.
30:50What you're witnessing is a Diet Coke chilled for 48 hours, being poured into a frosted glass, swimming in ice, crackling with carbonation, the perfect kind of cold to make you feel a lovely, lovely burn.
31:12Isn't that deliciously ironic?
31:20Bye, y'all.
31:21Bye, y'all.
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