irresistible Times: Misa Hylton Brim A Style Icon

(photo courtesy of Hugo Castillo)

In the hip-hop celebrity stylist world, one name is synonymous with the latest trends – Misa Hylton Brimm. Known as the hip-hop queen of fashion, she has a resume that dates back to (date), when she began styling for Jodeci. Her keen eye eventually caught the attention of Kimora Lee Simmons, who is now one of her clients. We sat down with Misa recently to discuss her long and successful career.

IT: What inspired you to be a stylist?

Misa: Just the opportunity. When I was in high school, the opportunity came along for me to style for Jodeci. I didn’t realize it was a job and that I would be able to assist on that project. I was always stylish and a real “girly-girl” so it just kind of came naturally, and the opportunity was there.I

iT: I read that you wanted to be a publicist – what happened with that?Misa: I became a stylist (laughing).

(photo courtesy of Vaughn)

IT: What skills do you think are necessary to become a stylist?

Misa: There are several skills that are important to being a stylist: work ethic is always something that I look for first. Be honest, [as} you have to deal with a lot of expensive items. Of course, creativity; choosing to be a stylist, you must be a creative person at heart. But work ethic would be my main thing that I look for. Everything else you can learn. But you can’t buy or teach someone to be an honest person, to do the right thing, to be responsible, and to come to work on time. Also to give their best. You can’t teach that, it has to just be in you.

IT: Do you offer opportunities to those who want to be stylists, and if so, how can they reach you?

Misa: Yes, I do, they would contact me through my company, Chyna Doll Enterprise (is there a website or telephone number?).

IT: What advice would you give to someone breaking into the business?

Misa: Times have changed so much, and with so many people aspiring to be a stylist and trying to get in the business. I would suggest that you intern with someone like a photographer or a magazine. [With] anybody doing what it is that you would like to do. Or, if you couldn’t get that opportunity, you should definitely take some sort of classes. I don’t know what they can teach you about all of the drama that comes with being a stylist and the B (what does this mean?). I always looked at people who did that as “that’s someone who serious about being a stylist”. Instead of waiting for an opportunity, they’re actually trying to become knowledgeable about the field they’re getting into. Stylists just have to try to make an opportunity to get their foot into the door, and once you get it, you have to be ready. You have to be knowledgeable and know [how] everything works, you have to know how to pull, you have to know how to write responsibility [sic] letters, you have to know how to write invoices and manage your budget. You have to be professional because it’s a business. A lot of people just think that it’s about just going out shopping, being fabulous, looking cute. But it’s really not. It’s one of the most stressful jobs you can have because dressing someone is not an easy thing to do. You have to tap into who they are and the demographic they’re trying to appeal too. What the manager wants. If it’s an artist what the record label wants, what the mama wants, what the cousin thinks. You have to satisfy everybody.

iT: What exactly is the drama that stylists have to deal with? And you personally?

Misa: I don’t deal with any drama personally, I think as long as you are professional. You have to really sit down and think about what you’re doing and have a plan that you can talk with your client about and make sure your client is happy, then a lot of the drama is alleviated. You have certain people if something happens they will try to cause a problem. But that’s their problem not yours - as long as you do the best job you can do and hold your head up high. In the beginning of my career when I walked through the door people used to know this or that about me, they knew who my son’s father was. So I had a lot on my back every time I came to work. There were probably a lot of conversations before I got there, some doubted, others excited. Earlier on, people didn’t know what I could do - I had to prove myself. But I always held my head high and did the best job I could do.

iT: Do you think you had it harder or easier because people knew who your son’s father was?

Misa: Harder, for sure harder (Misa’s son’s father is P. Diddy).

iT: I know you have worked with artists like Lil (TK) Kim and Mary J. Blige. Who are some of the other clients you worked with?

Misa: Chris Rock, Queen Latifah, Kimora Lee, Gabrielle Union, Terrance Howard, Total, Case, Montell Jordan, Dru Hill, Foxy Brown, P. Diddy, Faith, and Heavy D if you want to go back that far.

(photo courtesy of Hugo Castillo)

iT: Dang Misa!

Misa: (Laughing) I’ve been around a long time. I started in high school; so I grew up in this business.

iT: Were you able to concentrate on your studies while working through high school?

Misa: Yeah, I did.

iT: In a business where you must be available on demand, how do you manage to make time for family and personal life?

Misa: It’s just something that you have to do. You can’t think about it or dwell on it. Just make it happen. My mother has always been there for me. Fortunately, I was able to make enough money to be able to have childcare when I needed it. It’s easier for me now because my kids are big so they understand. They grew up with me and they know the type of job I have so they’re understanding and not selfish with me. They know if they want that Wii or Playstation 3, whichever one that is out now, that mommy has to work. Some things you just can’t do. For instance, if I had a photo shoot today and Justin had a recital, then [the] photo shoot would just have to get changed, and if it didn’t fit in then I would just have to pass and [the] next time the opportunity came along I’ll take it. You have to prioritize, and you have to have a strong support system and that’s what I’ve been blessed to have.

iT: How many children do you have?

Misa: Three.

iT: Are you married?

Misa: I’m divorced and currently engaged

iT: Congratulations! I heard you’re coming out with a collection. When is the launch date?

Misa: Actually, Madison Star Couture is an online boutique. I’m integrating the line slowly because I am funding this myself. When you don’t have a big manufacturer like Sean John, Baby Phat, or Rocawear and you’re not Beyonce, those companies right now want to give money to those people, [and] they know with them they are going to sell five million pairs of jeans. So it’s a little bit harder for people like me. So what I did is I hand picked a variety of designers that probably fashion people have heard of but the general population wouldn’t know.

iT: Who are some of the designers?

Misa: You would have to visit the website www.madisonstarcouture.com to find out.

iT: Is it urban wear?

Misa: It’s something for everybody, but it’s my style. For example, if I wore a business suit it would be that style.

iT: Since music and fashion go hand-in-hand, who are some of the artists that you listen to?

Misa: I listen to everybody, but I love rap music. I don’t care if I’m 45. I just like good music. I don’t really have a favorite artist.

iT: What artist’s personal style is one of your favorite looks, and why?

Misa: I love Gwen Stefani. I just think she’s so fly and so innovative. She pushes it and is really creative to me.

iT: Is there anyone you have not yet worked with, but would like to?

Misa: Right now, no. I love Kimora so much and working with her, that’s totally satisfying to me; it’s like being a kid in a candy store. You have to find the jewelry to match the shoes, to match the bag, to match the coat, to match the whole Cavelli collection, Chanel collection and everything. It’s really fun.

iT: That must be a nice budget.

Misa: Budget! What does that mean? (laughing)

iT: Does befriending a client become problematic in this business?

Misa: Not for me. But it can cause problems. I found it to be the opposite for me.I can separate business and personal. I was in a relationship with someone who was a businessperson; we did business together and we had a relationship. So I learned that skill early - how [to] separate the two.

iT: How did you come up with the name Chyna Doll Enterprise?

Misa: Well I’m half Japanese and half African-American. Growing up anything Asian was considered Chinese - there was no Korean, Philippine, and Vietnamese - everything was Chinese. So I had the nickname Chyna Doll, so I just kept it.

iT: A lot of other stylists have published books. Is that something you would like to do in the future?

Misa: I do want to do a book, but I don’t know if I want to write about styling or my life ‘cause that’s been quite interesting. When I say interesting, I’m talking about as far as the growth of a woman. From being a teenage mom to being in the celebrity world working with some of the biggest names and just being involved in music at a time where it affected the world and became a culture. Hip-hop is so big. Jodeci changed how R&B singers dressed. Mary changed how female singers dressed. Just to see from that point to where it is now. Then personal struggles that I had as a woman, marriage, divorce, and engaged again. It might just be about fashion - who knows - or might be deeper than that.

iT: I read that you have been given the title “Hip-hop Queen of Fashion…”

Misa: Really?

iT: That’s what I read. How do you feel about that?