Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Mya Lanae is an artist, creative director, writer, philanthropist, graphic designer, fashion designer, photographer, editor, and videographer. Mya Lanae began designing at 13 years old when she created her very first clothing brand, Red Diamond. While creating Red Diamond she began the journey of filmmaking and scriptwriting. Red Diamond was disbanded in early 2014. Later, she created XX Fortune in February 2016 in honor of her older cousin who passed away 2 years prior.
I gotta give it to every experience I've had in life so far. this journey has had its ups and downs but without the bad, I wouldn't have become who I am - mya LANAE
After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Film at Full Sail University, she moved back to Charlotte, North Carolina where she traveled and pursued music photography. Almost a year after graduating from Full Sail University, Mya decided to trademark XX Fortune and register it as an official business. Her dream was for XX Fortune to become a standout fashion line where streetwear, luxury, and art came together. Mya Lanae continues to break fashion barriers and create innovative creative pieces of clothing. Check out her Q&A below.
I'm a woman, a black woman. we don't have it easy and women in streetwear almost feel unheard of so I didn't expect an easy journey - mya LANAE
Q: What introduced you to fashion?
A: I’d say my mother introduced me to fashion before anyone else. She’d wear the nicest pieces and I’d dress up in her clothing all the time. I’m talking about the Timberland Heel Boots, Baby Phat, Dolce & Gabbana; she was a trendsetter. After my mom, I’d say That’s So Raven. I’m sure Raven Baxter inspired so many young black girls with fashion as well as Ciara. My older cousin actually introduced me to Ciara and her videos would come on 106 & Park every day. She was the music IT Girl in my opinion.
Q: What inspired you to take the streetwear route with fashion?
A: Honestly, being black. Black Culture. Streetwear was all around me and it wasn’t something to grow into. It’s just a part of who I am so it felt right to take what influenced me and add to the culture.
Q: Did you always want to go with the streetwear style and was it a tough decision to choose that?
A: It was a pretty easy decision. The things around me influenced my decision and I'm an artist so I knew I always wanted to go with what I could express myself with the most and street wear is the only fashion that you could really express yourself, as an artist.
Q: What inspired your signature design for XX Fortune?
A: Graffiti and the early 2000s music. I know it’s crazy to say that music inspired that but the gritty and edgy sound that Hip Hop and even R&B gave. I wanted a print that felt like listening to that. A print that felt like being in that era. Even with the paisley.
Q: You’ve said you’re an artist and how art is a big part of your brand, who is your favorite artist? Other than yourself.
A: I wouldn’t say I have a favorite but I really like Georgie Nakima, Deecosey, Daze, Kaws, and Rathagod. Rathagod is a little more underground but his work is up there.
Q: What's your favorite thing to design?
A: Graphic shirts or hoodies because I can actually go into detail with the artwork I use.
Q: What's your least favorite thing to design?
A: Socks because it's less room for you to go into detail as opposed to designing a shirt or hoodie. People don’t really care about socks designs as much as they do other clothing pieces.
Q: What does your quote “Fortune is the blessing that prevents bad luck.” mean? What inspired that?
A: You know it’s crazy because when people hear that quote they think it’s about money but it’s not. Fortune is wealth but wealth isn’t just about money. You can be wealthy in so many things like love and happiness. With eternal happiness, anything trying to get you down doesn’t even matter. You feel protected from negativity. Around the time I came up with the quote I was just thinking about how fortunate I am to be surrounded by so much love and happiness even though I lost loved ones on this journey.
Q: What is your main goal with XX Fortune?
A: I have many but my end goal is for XX Fortune to be a fashion movement that’s around for decades. I don’t want 5 seconds of success, I want XX Fortune to be talked about for years to come. I want people to feel everything XX Fortune stands for.
Q: What’s something you want the world to know?
A: The best is yet to come.
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