Name: Ty Hunter
Profession: Fashion Director / Designer
Age: 42
One word that describes you: Positive
Since his humble beginnings in Austin, TX, Ty Hunter has remained true to his belief that “fashion starts from within.” This quote has helped him to catapult his career straight to the center of pop culture. Hunter celebrated as one of the world’s most influential fashion gurus, has styled or contributed to the cover of almost every major international magazine, and has consulted for more than fifty national and international ad campaigns.
Getting his start through retail in Houston, TX, Hunter was afforded the opportunity to work with an up and coming pop group named Destiny’s Child by their Lead Stylist, Tina Knowles, in 2000. From there Hunter worked with Miss Tina to develop and cultivate not only the group into an iconic status, but also guide the girl’s individually to cultivate their looks.
Today Hunter is the exclusive personal stylist to Beyonce along with his counterpart, Raquel Smith. Since working with the iconic Beyonce, Hunter has risen to the top of the fashion charts as a key talent in the field. His passion, his drive and most importantly his humility is what keeps him blessed and striving for more.
To be a visionary in the fashion industry is what motivated Hunter to pursue this profession with such great fervor. “I would see great items for my clients, and I can envision them killing it,” says Hunter. Picking pieces is about knowing your client, their needs, their wants, and what works as well as what does not work. “Fashion isn’t easy, but I’ve overcome the obstacles of the word can’t,” Hunter tells BE Modern Man. “There were those times that looked like it couldn’t, shouldn’t, and wouldn’t work but did because I have always looked at my situations head on and conquered them.”
Working in a serious cutthroat industry, Hunter always remembers to stay positive and enjoy the journey. “Fashion should be fun, and I feel like people take it too seriously at times, that’s why I tried to incorporate as much fun as I could into my line With+Passion,” says Hunter.
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Having such a positive outlook on life has helped Hunter to keep his focus on the main events throughout his career. With so many professional achievements to choose from, Hunter says “it is hard to choose one, but I’d have to say it is probably getting to work with some of the greatest women to grace music.” Professional awards and accolades are great but for Hunter there is no question what his greatest personal moment is. “My greatest achievement personally is my daughter,” Hunter tells BE Modern Man
. “She’s my everything, and she’s why I push myself!”As fashion trends change from one year to the next Hunter reminds himself that “fashion comes from within” and uses this phrase to make an impact amongst his peers. “Life in itself is a journey, and you’re constantly reinventing yourself,” says Hunter. “I remember my good friend, Swizz Beatz, talking about this at an event we were both at and he said — You should constantly be reinventing yourself. It’s great to accomplish things, but once you’ve conquered and reached the highest heights of your field; what do you do next? You start the next chapter of your life. — I can’t describe it any better than how he said it.”
Hunter continues to reinvent himself both personally and professionally while making sure he impacts those watching his growth. “I see myself continuing to impact people,” says Hunter. “But not just people in my community, also every young person that feels that they can’t. I want to show them that they can.”
Living his life without permission has been the keystone for Hunter’s success. “To me a A BE Modern Man is a man that isn’t afraid to take life by the horns,” says Hunter. “He leads his life in a way that can make the best impact on himself and his community.”
The BlackEnterprise.com team salutes one of fashions most highly respected Fashion Directors for remaining true to his core values while being at the center of pop culture. We appreciate the contributions Hunter is making not only in fashion, but in the community as well. Keep inspiring, and creating!
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