Dress above is a recreation by Ashley Stephenson. May she Rest In Peace. Ashley worked alongside Biancha on the first Video Vixen Exhibit.

The night felt like a love letter to an era that raised us.

An era where women, the muses, the visionaries, the pulse behind the visuals, brought hip-hop to life in motion. I walked into the Video Vixen Exhibit and felt both nostalgia and reverence. Each photograph, each clip, each quote on the wall held the weight of memory, of women who embodied power, sensuality, and presence long before social media gave language to it.

This exhibit was not about aesthetics. It was about reclamation. It honored the women who shaped the gaze, set the tone, and inspired some of the most iconic moments in music history. To be invited and recognized among them was an honor, but more than that, it was a reminder that our stories, our bodies, our art, and our impact deserve to be archived with care.

Curated with depth and intention, The Video Vixen Exhibit is the brainchild of Costumer Designer/Merchandiser Biancha Jones. She has made it her mission to reframe how we see the women who helped define hip-hop’s golden era. Now in its second year, the exhibit continues to evolve, celebrating not only nostalgia but the ongoing influence of the women who lived it.

I sat down with her to talk about legacy, reclamation, and the stories behind the art.

Costume Designer/Merchandiser and Founder of “The Video Vixen Exhibit” Biancha Jones.

Cultural Genesis 

What first inspired you to create an exhibit dedicated to the women who defined hip-hop’s visual era, and what personal connection do you have to that time in music history?

”My exhibit really began from a personal project I started in 2021 called The Video Vixen Recreation Series. It began as a creative way for me to learn how to sew new things; by recreating the exact outfits worn by video vixens in iconic hip-hop and R&B music videos. Through that process, I researched the women, watched their interviews, and even reached out to some directly by DM or text. I learned their stories, who styled them, and how their looks came together. It made me realize how influential they were, not just to fashion and music videos, but to culture as a whole.

When the 50th anniversary of hip-hop came around, I went to several exhibits and noticed there was nothing celebrating these women: no acknowledgment of the vixens who helped define hip-hop’s visual era. That really bothered me. I remember texting my friends like, “I should just do my own exhibit,” half joking. A few days later I spoke to one of my best friends Ke’vea about that hurt I felt not seeing them and he told me, “Do it yourself.” That stuck with me. I took it as confirmation that it was meant to happen.

I had no idea how to produce an exhibit and how expensive it would be. I used my 9 to 5 paycheck, help from friends, and donations to make it happen. My late best friend Ashley stepped in at the last minute to help me pull it together. After she passed away, I honestly didn’t think I could do it again. But one of the vixens, Lisa Marie, told me to take my time and come back when I was ready. I did and this year’s exhibit was everything I hoped for. With help from Ke’vea of The Video Vixen Tribute and my friend Jazmine from Flutter & Mose, it became something truly beautiful.

My connection to this era runs deep. I am a 90s baby and grew up in the 2000s, these were the women I watched on TV who looked like me and exuded confidence and beauty. As I got older, I realized their influence extended well into the 2010s, especially with social media changing the landscape.I was still watching music videos during this time. With remembering that,I wanted to make sure my exhibit honored every era of the vixen, from the mid-’90s all the way through the 2010s.”

Recreation by Biancha Jones of the outfit Gloria Veléz wore in Jay-Z’s “Big Pimpin” music video.

Reclaiming the Narrative 

For decades, “video vixens” have been both celebrated and misunderstood. How did you approach reframing their story in a way that centers agency, artistry, and cultural impact?

“I approached reclaiming the narrative by celebrating these women and giving them their flowers. Through my recreation project, I treated the vixens as my art muses. Each costume I recreated represented their story and served as a way to make them feel seen, to remind them that what they did was iconic and that there’s still a world of people who look up to them.

In the early stages of my project, I often heard people say the vixens were objectified. My response was to get to know them. They are human beings with lives, experiences, and most importantly, names. It’s not just “the girl in the video” she has a name, a story, and a purpose.

Through this work, I also became a different person. Representing them helped me become more confident and more protective of their legacy. It taught me the power of storytelling, empathy, and honoring women who shaped culture in their own right.”

Curatorial Process 

Can you walk us through your curation process, how you chose which women, visuals, and artifacts to highlight and what emotional or creative considerations guided those choices?

“The curation process is honestly one of the hardest parts. One thing I always focus on is making sure the vixens who attend feel seen. If a woman wasn’t featured in a magazine, I’ll include a screenshot from a music video instead. If I know you’re coming, you’ll see yourself in the room.

For this year’s exhibit, I filled the space with CDs, magazines, pictures, video clips, and behind the scenes photos. The behind-the-scenes photos were images I got from an important person during that era, as well as images I found searching through each of the ladies Instagram pages/online. Overall, I wanted the exhibit to feel full and representative of everyone who helped define that era. When I was choosing photos to put on the wall from Ke’vea’s archive of magazine scans, I picked images that were sexy but also stylish, because that’s how we viewed them growing up. They were our stylish older sisters; the ones we wanted to be like.

To me, video vixens were the original influencers, and I wanted the exhibit to capture that energy. Some people try to rank them or make lists, but I don’t believe in that. I don’t have a top five, because I think they’re all important and special in their own way. That’s reflected in how I curate the space. My goal is to celebrate every woman equally, not to compare them. This isn’t sports, it’s culture, and it’s about honoring women, not putting them against each other.”

Legacy and Memory 

Hip-hop is evolving quickly, but that golden era you’re honoring feels almost mythic now. What do you think we risk losing if this history isn’t preserved and told through a woman’s lens?

“I think we’ve already seen what happens when this history isn’t preserved or told through a woman’s lens. People start rewriting the story and making the women who were video vixens feel less than. There hasn’t always been respect for their contributions or acknowledgment of what they brought to the culture. Instead, they were often called horrible names or criticized for simply having the courage to tell their stories.

People would say, “Oh, they were just sitting pretty in front of a camera,” but it was so much more than that. I always remind people, think about the last time you asked someone to take a picture or video of you and you didn’t know how to pose, or you felt awkward. Now imagine doing that on a major set, in front of cameras, directors, and the world. That takes skill and confidence. These women were actresses. They played roles, they told stories, and they sold the song. They sold the look. Their influence was so strong that brands started moving product based on what they wore. That’s power.

As a woman who became more confident because of them, I love reminding people of their impact. Through my lens, I get to show how a woman’s courage to reclaim herself and her body can inspire generations after her. These women were, and still are, so incredibly cool to me.”

Biancha Jones and her beautiful recreations.

Representation and Power 

Many of these women helped define beauty and sensuality for a generation, yet they often didn’t get credit as cultural architects. What conversations do you hope your exhibit sparks around visibility and respect for women in entertainment?

“I love this question. I hope the exhibit reminds people that women have always had a huge impact on culture, even though their contributions are often minimized. Sometimes you really do have to remind people that women have done so much and deserve their credit too.

One of my favorite things about my Video Vixen Recreation Project (besides making people feel good) is being able to honor the fashion stylists and costume designers behind each look. Many of them are women. I always say they’re incredibly humble because some of the outfits I’ve recreated are so detailed and creative that I still find myself asking, “How did they even come up with this?” My respect for them was already high, but through this process it’s grown even more.

Two moments really stand out to me. One was when I recreated the looks from “Breathe and Stop” by Q-Tip, which were styled by Misa Hylton. I later saw that she shared my recreations on her Instagram Story, which meant so much to me. I admire her deeply, and being able to honor her work through my art felt full circle.

Another was with April Roomet, who styled the outfits in “The Next Episode” by Dr. Dre. I finished recreating one of those looks right around her birthday, so I decided to post it in honor of her. She was so appreciative and even mentioned how meaningful it was because she worked on that video set on her birthday years ago. Moments like that make this project special. They remind me that what I’m doing isn’t just about fashion or nostalgia, it’s about giving credit where it’s long overdue and keeping these women’s stories alive.”

Evolution of the Gaze 

From the male-directed gaze of early music videos to women now reclaiming their image online, how do you see the evolution of ownership over representation in media?

“I think women today have the power to paint their own picture of how they want to be seen, instead of having someone else, especially men, paint it for them. One of the great things about social media is that it gives women that control. It allows us to define our image, our voice, and our narrative in real time.

What I also love is how social media creates community. Women are quick to come to each other’s defense now, and that’s something that didn’t feel as possible years ago. Back then, it was harder to build solidarity or challenge how we were portrayed. Now, women can stand together publicly, and that visibility gives others courage. It’s powerful to see women supporting women and rewriting how we’re represented on our own terms.”

Community and Continuation 

This is your second year hosting the exhibit. How has the response from the community, artists, and the women themselves evolved since the first? What does that tell you about where we are collectively?

”I think it has evolved for the better. There’s been more understanding, more empathy, and a deeper sense of connection all around. Many people who came to my first exhibit know that my best friend passed away and that I was also struggling with health issues from a fibroid during that time. Because of that, people are genuinely proud to see me continue. It feels like they’re rooting for a family member to win, even if they don’t know me personally.

The support has been so beautiful. People are excited to see what’s next and to watch this project evolve, because they’ve seen me learning and growing in real time. The video vixens themselves have also been incredibly supportive since the beginning of my project. They always thank me for what I’m doing, but in reality, this exhibit is my thank you to them for inspiring me and helping shape who I am.

As an artist, I think my first exhibit might have confused some people who weren’t sure how to categorize it. But this second one makes it clear that what I’m doing is art; my medium just happens to be clothing. I’m using sewing and costume design to tap into nostalgia, storytelling, and history. Seeing people respond to that with so much love and respect tells me that we’re collectively in a place where we’re ready to honor women’s stories through every form of art.”

Biancha Jones at “The Video Vixen Exhibit”

The Future of Herstory

 Looking ahead, what are your hopes for how this exhibit grows and what message would you like to leave for the next generation of women shaping music and culture today?

”My biggest hope is for the exhibit to one day have a permanent home, maybe in a hip-hop museum or a cultural institution that celebrates our history. I want the video vixens to have a place they can visit, see themselves, and feel proud of their achievements. I want them to feel like the art muses they are and to know their impact on culture is worthy of preservation.

Until that happens, I want the exhibit to travel so more people can experience it. I also hope to secure funding, because that support would help me continue expanding and sustaining this vision until it finds its permanent home.

For the next generation, my message is simple: be the change you want to see. You don’t need a lot of money to make an impact; you just need to act on your ideas. For the women coming up in music and culture, keep doing your best. You might not always get the credit you deserve right away, but it will come. Don’t chase the applause; let your work speak for you.

I’ve worked so hard on this exhibit and sacrificed a lot for it but knowing that it made women feel good about themselves means everything to me. Be genuine in what you do and who you are, you’ll always stand out that way.”