About Misa Hylton Fashion Academy

The Misa Hylton Fashion Academy (MHFA) is a creative institution redefining what fashion education looks like. Founded by legendary stylist and cultural visionary Misa Hylton, MHFA was built on the belief that mentorship, access, and representation can change the trajectory of young creatives. Through hands-on programs, workshops, and the renowned MHFA x PVH All-Star Mentorship Program, the Academy connects emerging talent with leading industry experts, bridging the gap between education and opportunity. MHFA prepares students to thrive in fashion’s evolving landscape—combining creativity, business, and self-development to shape the innovators of tomorrow.

Impact and Legacy
From classrooms to global runways, MHFA’s impact is visible in every mentee who dares to dream bigger. The Academy has empowered hundreds of young adults from diverse backgrounds to enter the fashion industry with skill, confidence, and purpose. By cultivating leadership and cultural awareness, MHFA continues to elevate voices often left unheard—proving that when education meets mentorship, transformation follows. As a female-founded nonprofit, MHFA stands as a beacon for inclusion, empowerment, and legacy—educating, empowering, and elevating the next generation of fashion leaders.

Founder:
Misa Hylton

Fashion Architect. Revolutionary Creative. Life Coach.

For over twenty-five years, Misa Hylton has been a “renaissance” woman at the forefront of seismic shifts in fashion, music, and culture.

She is acclaimed for creating iconic looks that simultaneously capture an unforgettable moment while setting the stage for what everyone will want to wear next. From the jaw dropping purple pastie-and-pantsuit ensemble immortalized by Lil’ Kim at MTV’s 1999 VMAs to Beyoncé’s leather MCM bustier and trench coat for the 2018 video “Apeshit”, Misa has conceived groundbreaking styles for the world’s biggest celebrities including Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, Missy Elliott, Faith Evans, Sean Combs, and Kimora Lee Simmons.

She has collaborated with major brands such as Pepsi, Viacom, Amazon, and the NFL. Her trend setting work has appeared at red carpet events, in videos and the pages of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Essence, and Instyle, consequently inspiring international fashion houses and mainstream apparel lines to follow suit. So beloved was her custom designed MCM look for Beyoncé that its image was used for the international ad campaign of Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s “Everything is Love” album.

Throughout her career in the industry, Misa has groomed a multitude of stylists, many of whom are responsible for crafting the images of some of today’s hottest and most memorable stars! Through this experience, Misa discovered her passion for sharing her expertise and educating aspiring stylists, by providing not only the practical skills needed for success, but also the knowledge and frame of reference necessary to achieve excellence. In 2012 she opened the Misa Hylton Fashion Academy (MHFA). The vision was to develop an institution which supports creativity, free thinking, and the importance of a solid education. Her mission is in the dedication to grooming the next generation of creatives interested in pursuing a career in fashion, even offering fashion programs to youth ages 8- 16 years old.

Today she continues to revolutionize fashion at various levels – collaborating with MCM for her own soon-to-launch capsule collection, styling private celebrity clients, featuring as a commentary subject in two documentaries on music epochs, and teaching a new generation of stylists at her Misa Hylton Fashion Academy and professional studies courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Misa continues to transcend categories by constantly defining then re-defining modern style.

“I often ask myself, “Where would you be without the love, opportunity and space to nurture your talent? I have an obligation as a leader in my field to be actively involved in growing the next generation of creatives.”