Misa Hylton

Misa Hylton (previously Hylton-Brim; born January 6, 1974) is an American stylist and fashion designer She enjoyed fashion from an early age and was also a hip-hop fan. Hylton listened to hip-hop radio stations and envisioned what the artists might be wearing.

Career beginnings Hylton began working in fashion when she was a 17-year-old high school student, when she assisted on a Jodeci music video. Her then-boyfriend and A&R intern, Sean "Diddy" Combs, invited her to the set, and together they convinced Uptown Records founder Andre Harrell to let the group members wear combat boots, hoodies, and backward hats. Combs later introduced her to other artists at Uptown Records, who became some of her first clients. She has said she focused on innovation and risk-taking in her early styles, and connected that pattern to being a member of the "hip hop generation". Hylton was inspired by The Wiz for the fashion in Lil' Kim's "Crush on You" video. She also styled Lil' Kim for her solo debut album, Hard Core.

In February 2020, Harlem's Fashion Row honored Hylton, April Walker, and Dapper Dan for their contributions to the fashion industry. She designed custom MCM chaps and a western hat for Megan Thee Stallion's July 2019 Jimmy Kimmel Live! performance. Hylton also styled and provided fashion direction for Paper's November 2020 Flo Milli editorial shoot, which included a custom denim bustier, panty, pasties, and headwrap. In 2021, Hylton launched her INC fashion collection for Macy's as part of its "Icons of Style" campaign to promote and showcase Black American style-makers and designers, including Ouigi Theodore and Zerina Akers.

Impact Hylton frequently dressed clients in Western-inspired attire in the '90s, such as in Mary J. Blige's "All That I Can Say" music video. The trend inspired the "Yeehaw" style of 2019. Cardi B's gold-chained headdress in the video "Money" and matching red fur and bob wig in "Backin it Up" have been traced to Hylton's selections for Lil' Kim.

Hylton encouraged her first professional styling clients, Jodeci, to wear modern, casual clothing, including hoodies and backward hats, instead of formal clothes and hard-bottom shoes.

Legal issues On April 29, 2025, Hylton filed a $5 million lawsuit against Mary J. Blige for breach of contract and interferences involving a business deal with rapper Vado. Hylton claims she launched a management company in February 2023 to represent Vado, who later signed a contract with Blige's imprint, Beautiful Life Productions, and that Blige later coerced Vado to terminate his management contract with Hylton's company.