Alumni Spotlight: Kyana Hallacher
Class of 2017
Degree:
Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Fashion Design
Current Roles:
- Cofounder of Generation Typo
- Art Director for 4KLIFE
Hometown:
Fairfax, Va.
Tell us about your background and what brought you to Marymount.
I’ve been fascinated by fashion for as long as I can remember. I was always flipping through Vogue and imagining myself working in that world, even if I didn’t yet know how. In high school, I discovered the Fairfax Academy for the Arts, which offered a fashion design program. I attended Chantilly High School, but was able to apply to Fairfax and commute there during my junior and senior years to take Fashion Design I and II.
That experience confirmed my passion and helped me realize I wanted to study fashion in college. During my research, I found that Marymount was one of the only local universities offering a fashion program. When I learned more about the courses and opportunities there, in addition to receiving a scholarship, it felt like the perfect fit.
What was your overall experience like at Marymount?
Like many freshmen, it took some time to adjust, especially since I come from a very close-knit family and was living away from home for the first time. But once I settled in, I loved that I could take classes that truly interested me. Even the core courses opened my eyes to new perspectives, and looking back, I’m grateful for how well-rounded my education was.
Marymount’s diversity really stood out to me—the friends I made, the different backgrounds I was exposed to and the professors who genuinely cared. I still keep in touch with two of them today, and they continue to serve as mentors in my career.
I was determined to make the most of my experience and prove that studying fashion was more than a dream—it was my future. Participating in the Portfolio in Motion show was a highlight, as was being invited to the White House in 2014 for a design workshop with then-First Lady Michelle Obama. That’s where I met fashion designer Lela Rose, and that experience led to a summer internship with her in New York City, which was absolutely life-changing.
Looking back now, I realize how much I grew during those years, not just as a student but as a person. My time at Marymount taught me resilience, confidence and gratitude for every opportunity that came my way.
In a recent ABC News special, Mrs. Obama paid a surprise visit and caught up with you and two other designers involved in the workshop you attended. What was your reaction like?
It was the most surreal feeling. The producers completely fooled us—they told us they were just taking some b-roll footage before our interviews. I was sitting there mentally preparing what I’d say, when suddenly Michelle Obama and Robin Roberts started walking toward us. I remember thinking, “is this really happening?” It was the most incredible surprise, and such a full-circle moment.
To be back on Marymount’s campus more than a decade after I first discovered who I was as a designer, and to have that experience unfold there, made it even more meaningful. I just felt so much gratitude in that moment. Getting to hug Mrs. Obama and Robin Roberts and share that space with them was unforgettable.
And honestly, it came at the perfect time. As a creative, you sometimes hit slumps and search for new inspiration. That encounter reignited my motivation and reminded me why I do what I do. Hearing Mrs. Obama tell me she was proud of me was the spark I needed to keep going and keep building what I’ve started.
What has your career trajectory been like since graduation?
Right after graduating, I joined Neiman Marcus in public relations, splitting my time between the Tysons Galleria and Chevy Chase locations. It was such an exciting start as I helped coordinate trunk shows and runway events for top designers and learned so much about the business side of fashion.
When the pandemic hit, Neiman Marcus was hit hard and I was laid off when the company filed for bankruptcy. That was a difficult time, but I used it as an opportunity to keep learning. I even took an online fashion course through the Museum of Modern Art in New York to stay inspired and connected to the industry.
Eventually, I took a marketing role in property management to stay afloat, but I knew my heart wasn’t in it. Around that time, I met my now–business partner, who had started a streetwear brand called Generation Typo. I saw so much potential and joined him to help reimagine it as a luxury fashion house.
Generation Typo is built on the idea of creating conversations between generations. Rather than invoking the sense of words spelled incorrectly, we use “typos” to represent differences of opinion that can often prevent communication. We highlight this through red lines in our designs. Our mission connects to my recent experience with Mrs. Obama, which is proof that when generations come together, incredible things can happen.
Since then, our brand has grown beyond what we imagined. We’ve shown at New York, D.C., Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks, and we continue to expand with new collections and capsule releases. We’ve also launched a creative marketing agency together. It’s been a whirlwind, but I feel incredibly lucky to be doing what I love and to be living proof that hard work and passion can turn dreams into reality.
What advice would you give to college students about making the most of their experience?
Never stop dreaming, and always believe in yourself and what you’re building. It might take time to figure out exactly what you want to do, but every high and low along the way is worth it if it leads you to a life doing what you love.
Hard work doesn’t always bring instant results, and that’s okay. What matters most is having the discipline to keep going, even when things feel uncertain. If you stay focused, keep learning and keep dreaming, those dreams will eventually become your reality.
