Mykel C. Smith: Creative Genius Behind the Curtain

#creative #mastermind #mykelcsmith #Agency #MCSC

Mykel C. Smith is a creative powerhouse you should most definitely know about in the fashion and creative industry. Owning the boutique agency 'Mykel C. Smith Creative' where they work for a variety of artists in the creative industry. Having worked for more than two decades in the creative field with clients like Cedella Marley, Island Records, and more. Smith has also been featured in some of the nation's top publications including Elle, People, and Teen Vogue Magazine! This creative genius hones more than one title as Creative Director, Stylist, Event Planner, and Experience Producer! What can't Mykel do?!

He is one gifted individual when it comes to his work, and you can see it in the projects he takes on.

We decided to get an in-depth Interview with the one and only Mykel C. Smith and get an insight into his world. Keep reading down below to learn more about this icon!

What creative field would you say you're in?

Creative Director / Stylist / Event Planner / Experience Producer

What creative name do you go by?

Mykel C. Smith

How old are you?

59 Going On 60 (Looking Good Mykel!)

What started your interest in what you do and how did you discover your passion?

I have always been in the arts since a child be it dancing, acting, and fashion. I would often purchase Vogue magazines as a kid with my allowance. Always having that passion for the arts and fashion, often taking many avenues to get to that success we have today. I attended some of the most prestigious schools in the world for dance and theatre. I also worked in many high-end restaurants and was the first person of color to work in some of these places. Excelling at my job, I was able to meet many individuals who saw talent in me which enabled me to go into many other areas such as fashion. I became an assistant to a stylist, worked in modeling agencies on and on.

We started Mykel C. Smith Creative in 2012 and while it hasn't been easy, it's been rewarding. We have some really great clients, such as the Marley Family, Cult of Individuality, Top Owens Shoes Hong Kong, SKIP Marley and now a 21-year-old Rapper signed to Sony / Awal his name is "D4M $LOAN" which is a very different lane for us but also rewarding as it shows that our vision is intact. MCSC was conceived out of the vision and passion to create. I am very passionate in regard to the projects we take on. We are just getting started and I feel that the best years are ahead of us. Our Motto is " Without Vision the People Shall Perish".

What do you hope to accomplish as a creative?

To keep bringing the Vision and to make a difference in not only fashion but in someone's life in general. I am looked up to by many young creatives / Models etc., that's a great feeling that we are making difference. Making difference is how I would like MCSC to be remembered.

What is a piece of advice you would give to others interested in what you do?

Do everything with your full passion no matter what you are getting paid. There are no small jobs. Do the work to educate yourself and find a mentor. Social Media has people wanting things quickly instead of doing the work, if you get things without doing the work, they will not last. DO THE WORK!

What career path would you be pursing if you weren't pursuing this one?

I thought as a child that I would be a doctor, but the sight of blood nauseated me, this is a question that I really cannot answer because honestly, I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else.

What is your favorite creative project to work with and why?

There is not just one, there are many, we just completed our first campaign with the brand. 'Cult Of Individuality' in which Ron Poisson is the owner of the brand. He is a very hands person and with me working on this project he really trusted me and let me go for it. We produced two of his fashion shows in which he has a big following in music. However, MCSC got the tough fashion world to stand up and really see his genius. When you have loyal clients (its rare now days) who trust your vision for their brands it's a win -win situation. MCSC recently took on Rapper and Actor Sony-Awal Recording Artist, 'D4M $LOAN' a young artist out of Philly in that his management bought us in as Creative Consultants. We produced his new press packaging which will drop soon and also introduced him into the NYFW scene which was highly successful being important as his label, management, and himself trusted our vision for him, so it was very rewarding. We are also going forward to relaunching a shoe brand out of HONG KONG named 'Top Owens Collection', which we partnered with them in the past taking our brand global as they are not based in NYC.

One of our repeat clients who we also worked with in the past Allen Hirsh who is renowned artist, but also an inventor as he has brand named HANDL a phone accessory brand opening a new concept store in SOHO, and we are being retained to produce the launch. We have also scouted many successful models and had them placed in great agencies such as our young new face Javon who is currently signed to prestigious Marilyn Models NYC /PARIS. He had never been on a plane before his first show out of the gate, Louis Vuitton in Miami right before Virgil Died. He also had his first season in Paris where he walked for many more prestigious houses. I discovered him in the lobby of my building as he had run into my building to keep a lady from touching his hair (he has dreads). I came down and saw the beauty in him ask him about the opportunity to model and scooped him up, the rest is history. To just see him succeed and see the light in his eyes knowing we had something to do with, changing a young man's life, I am elated.

What inspires you to create?

Actually, it's not just one thing its many. I could walk into a store and hear a song and then I will Shazam it and use it later in my runway production or videos. It could be the look of a model, with 'Cult of Individuality' it was the designer himself Ron who is the master designer who has so much knowledge and talent and that's what drew me to his brand. I wanted people to see what I saw in him, and the collection was secondary to putting him in front of the brand as no one knew his story, and we made sure that lead in our production. We are inspired by so many things.

What do you do when your feel stuck as a creative?

Many times, I am a creative procrastinator, I must see the vision for each client separately. That is where our tag line "Without Vision The People Shall Perish” stems from.

What do you hope others can take away from what you do and where would you like to be in 5 years?

We are asked this question many times, I don't like to say what the future holds but I am who believes in the manifestation method. Most of our success stems from manifestation, I know where I want us to be, alive, and creating is all I can say to that question.

Lastly, where can those interested in what you do follow and contact you? Facebook -Mykel C. Smith Creative Instagram @-mykel_c_smith_creative Twitter -mykecsmith1