WOMEN IN STREETWEAR
“She believed in her own magic and then she became.”
–April Walker
For countless years, the Port Authority Bus Terminal has been a conduit for so many industries, including fashion. Nestled in adjacent communities, this terminal and the fashion industry are forever connected by both proximity and purpose. Because Fashion Week is highlighted in February, and Women’s History Month is celebrated in March, fashion maven April Walker, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal thought that this would be the perfect time to proudly present the
“Women in Streetwear” Exhibition.
When one thinks of streetwear, they may be inclined to think solely of men’s wear and male designers. However, this historic exhibit pays homage to a dynamic group of women who are each culture shifters and trailblazers. Each of these women have helped to create, build and shape the streetwear landscape. They continue to break barriers, to ascend, to inspire and to innovate through their sheer dedication, leadership and talents, without foregoing the guts, grit and gumption necessary for success.
SHARIFA MURDOCK is the founding partner of Liberty Fairs and a veteran fashion industry professional with a concentration on cultivating relationships and elevating new brands in the men’s and women’s fashion space through showcase. With a strong grasp of industry trends and emerging brands, and with 20 years of experience under her belt, Sharifa is deeply rooted in retail and fashion world. www.envsnfestival.com IG @sharifasays
MISA HYLTON has been a “renaissance” woman for over twenty-five years. She has been at the forefront of seismic shifts in fashion, music, and culture. Misa continues to define and re-define her mark as The Architect. A pioneer and trailblazer who is steadily pushing the culture forward, Misa is a Global Creative partner for MCM Worldwide, all while cultivating the Misa Hylton Fashion Academy, and so much more. She is featured as a commentary subject in The Remix Hip Hop X Fashion, a documentary directed by Lisa Cortes and Farah X.
https://misahyltonfashionacademy.com IG @misahylton
ELENA ROMERO has critically covered culture, music, and fashion for every media platform (newspaper, magazines, television, radio and online) for over 25 years. Her journalistic work has appeared in consumer trade and online publications, including Women's Wear Daily (WWD), Daily News Record (DNR), and more. In addition, she is a cultural historian, and the author of Free Stylin': How Hip Hop Changed the Fashion industry. Ms. Romero is an assistant professor at FIT and the co-curator for “Fresh, Fly, and Fabulous” The Museum at FIT, opening in 2023.
http://elena-romero.com/ IG @proferomero
SAMANTHA BLACK is a designer that currently works fulltime on her clothing brand, Sammy B, based in Los Angeles, California. As a graduate from the prestigious Pratt Institute in 2005 with a BFA in Fashion Design, Samantha has also appeared as a contestant on Season 2 of Lifetime television’s Project Runway and also returning for Project Runway All-Stars. In 2014, the designer’s Fall/Winter collection was unveiled at Lincoln Center.
IG @SamanthaBlackNYC @sammybdesignsny
SHARA MCHAYLE is from Coney Island, Brooklyn. She was born to a Chinese mother and Jamaican father and was raised by her divorced mother in the projects. McHayle made her career in fashion in the early 90’s when she joined PNB Nation, a clothing line that quickly became a soundboard for social commentary, activism and hip-hop culture. She continues her legacy with
https://hoop88dreams.com/ IG @shara_mchayle
KIANGA MILELE spent 27 years styling and creating groundbreaking collections for the likes of Sean Combs, Justin Timberlake, Jay Z, Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj. Kianga has recently launched her highly anticipated collection K. Milele, and it’s the celebration of all her gifts, all her passions and the embodiment of her expression. Most recently, she appeared on Netflix’s “Next In Fashion”.
https://www.kikikitty.com/ IG @kikikittydoll
TONI SCOTT GRANT is the founder and head designer at Haus of Swag. She is renowned for developing a graphically dynamic streetwear brand, with slogans that recognize and celebrate women and girls. Haus of Swag is leading the way in using its voice and brand to highlight women of color fashionably.
http://www.hausofswag.com/ IG: @hausofswag
SOPHIA CHANG hails from the borough of Queens. In less than a decade, Sophia has managed to champion a name for herself in the art, design and streetwear community worldwide. One of the biggest accolades of her career to date was the opportunity to design her own collection with Puma. This collection was exhibited at various international museums, curated by the American Federation of the Arts.
https://esymai.com/ IG: @esymai
APRIL WALKER is the curator for this “Women in Streetwear” exhibition. April has been a major trailblazer in the fashion genre we call streetwear, and her brand is still relevant today. As an author, she has penned her first book, Walkergems, Get Your A$% Off the Couch, has also been featured in the documentaries, Fresh Dressed (2015) and The Remix: Hip Hop x Fashion (2019). She is the recipient of several fashion awards, receives a ton of press and her work has been exhibited worldwide.
https://walkerwear.com IG @iamaprilwalker @walkerwear
https://www.walkergems.com/ IG @walkergems
https://walkerwear.com/products/walkergems-get-your-a-off-the-couch-book
There are so many compelling stories about women in streetwear. As these women navigate in a male dominated industry, they are activating change, creating space, and empowering other women to “become”.
#womeninstreetwear #futurebeenfemale #pabt