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Sean Combs, otherwise known as Puff Daddy, Puffy, and P Diddy was born in Harlem, New York in 1969. He acquired the nick name puffy from the habit of puffing out his chest to appear larger. Combs grew up attending an all-boys Catholic school in the Bronx, New York. Eventually Combs went on to attend Howard University and majored in business administration but later decided to pursue an internship at Uptown Records. This decision would change Combs life forever. Later in 1993 Combs went on to start his own production company called Bad Boy Entertainment. Combs signed some of the greatest artists in the industry such as Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men, Lil Kim, TLC, Biggie Smalls and many more. This record label would go on to make Combs more than $100 million dollars. The collaborations between Combs and Christopher Wallace (Biggie) set the stage for a huge culture shift for 1990s hip hop. Combs and his fellow rappers on the Bad Boy label all contributed to urban hip hop and street culture. 1990’s fashions such a bomber jackets, combat boots, iced out chains, and baggy clothing have made their way from mainstream media to the consumer. The trends of the 1990s are still seen in fashion cycles of 2000s through street wear. Everyday people wear ripped jeans, athletic jerseys, and even their own iced out personalized chains or bling. Hip hop styles of the 1990s have had a lasting legacy on Black style.

Look R: Bad Boy Jersey

Late rapper Christopher Wallace, otherwise known as Biggie Smalls, the Notorious B.I.G., and Big Poppa, was born in Brooklyn, New York. Wallace began rapping as a hobby to entertain in his neighborhood. By March of 1992, Wallace’s tape recordings landed in the hands of Sean Combs otherwise known as Puffy, P Diddy, or Puff Daddy, who was at the time a producer for the Uptown Records label. Sean Combs later left this label and created his Bad Boy Records. Wallace later joined Sean Combs at Bad Boy Records in 1992. From there, Wallace’s career took off working with artists such as Mary J. Bilge, Michael Jackson, Lil Kim, and eventually his wife to be, Faith Evans. Wallace influenced the culture of the east coast through his music. The power of Wallace’s persona was evident in the memories and the legacy that is left after his untimely death. His career and the influence Wallace had on the east coast has constituted him as one of the greatest rappers in history.

Look S : Misa Hylton Public Enemy Jersey

Misa Hylton, is originally from Mount Vernon, New York, and has been trendsetting since the early 1990s. She has styled and designed for many prominent figures in the entertainment business, like Mary J. Blige, Lil Kim, and Missy Elliot, to name a few. According to Rashad Benton of Billboard, Hylton “Has become wholly responsible for dressing some of the most influential Hip-Hop artists of the 90s, creating lasting, iconic music moments like Lil Kim's legendary 1999 MTV VMAs performance and Mary J Blige's "Not Gon Cry" music video. She's worked with everyone from Missy Elliott and Foxy Brown for her "I'll Be" music video to 50 Cent, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, Faith Evans, Terrence Howard and LaLa Anthony.” Hylton’s style, taste, and legacy have impacted many artists as they develop their personas and further convey their image to their fans. Hylton continues to shape the future of fashion and launched her Misa Hylton Fashion Academy (MHFA) in 2012. Hylton stated in an interview with Billboard that “It all started as an idea to give back to my styling community. As a mentor, mother, and teacher at heart I saw there was a void. An exciting career as a "stylist" is available these days, but no one is really preparing and passing down the knowledge and skill set needed to turn this opportunity into a reality.”

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Guy and Sharene Wood, are both native New Yorkers, born and raised in Harlem, that have created success in their business partnership by designing and dressing some of the most important Black entertainers of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Their businesses include 5001 Flavors and Harlem Haberdashery, which is an award-winning boutique and the retail expression of 5001 Flavors. They have created a legacy in the apparel and entertainment industries and within Harlem. They have a reputable client list, which speaks volumes about their design aesthetic, hospitality, vision, expertise, and power to prevail. Guy Wood explained, “When I started the business I gravitated towards the bigger guy. Because I knew they had the same problem that I had it was nothing in the marketplace for them. So, my first few customers, was big “this”, huge “that”, rappers you know. Rappers this big or whatever. I went after all the bigger guys. The Heavy D’s, the Prince Marky D, then Biggie. And those were my core base and then I started making stuff for the masses.” Sharene Wood explained, “So, it for me is more about like everyone elevating their craft. From a beginning standpoint to an ending standpoint of success, brand building, superstardom, and recognition. So that’s what’s important to me is helping people kind of live their dreams while we’re living out our dreams.” Known as the “First Family of Harlem” Guy and Sharene Wood have been able to pass down their legacy with the creation of other multiple businesses with their children.

According to Guy Wood, “For me it was more or less building a legacy, building a brand that can withstand the test of time and then bring my family into it. Now raising my children, now they all have their own personal lines…All that said, I really do love dressing my clients and bringing to life”. To that end Sharene Wood stated, “It is about creating that transferable business legacy, you know building a brand and allowing your family and future generations to elevate themselves, and educate themselves about a new industry and create opportunities for their brands and watch one idea that Guy and I had to expand into, it kind of replicates and duplicates itself. And now having been in business for 28 years working on three different brands and to see that expanded into literally 10 different brands for other people is exciting. Because it opens up the door to entrepreneurship that leads into creativity that leads into something that’s kind of everlasting.”

Not only are the Woods passing down success generationally, but they also enjoy giving back to their community. The Woods generously share their success with others in many ways, whether supporting NYC Hospitals in Harlem or holding annual events to benefit non-profits like the Boys and Girls club of Harlem and Food Bank New York. Sharene Wood supports Y.E.S (Young Executives for Success) as a volunteer on the fundraising branch of Dress for Success Worldwide along with serving on the beard of Black Women for Black Girls. Guy and Sharene have been honored by Council Member Inez E. Dickens as recipients of the Sylvia & Herbert Wood Scholarship award. Guy Wood has sat on panels for Schomburg Center for Black research and Dream Leapers with Harriet Cole. They are role models for many aspiring fashion entrepreneurs as they continue history-making strides in the fashion industry and in the Black community.