Today we’d like to introduce you to Irma Martinez.
Irma, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in Cartagena, Colombia, and moved to the USA right after high school with a little money but a lot of dreams. I discovered “styling” working in a boutique while I was studying fashion design. By making the windows display I discovered I had the ability to mix together pieces in unusual ways that turned very attractive to the clients. Some of these clients were celebrities and this is how my connection to celebrities started. One of them, Angela Carrasco, asked me to go on tour with her because she loved how I put together her outfits while she was shopping at the store. After touring with her for ten months I decided to move forward, and I got a job at Telemundo as a PR assistant while I was convincing directors and producers of the importance of having someone in charge of their talent wardrobe and that’s how I became the wardrobe stylist and created the wardrobe department for the network. After four successful years there I got laid off with 80 other employees and that’s how my work as a freelancer started. Then my career as a stylist began when a Colombian artist, Shakira, was presented to me by my brother, Jairo Martinez who was working in Sony Music. With Shakira, other celebrities came such as: Paulina Rubio, Thalia, Chayanne, and others. Also, at the same time, I started styling shows for Univision network and editorial work for People en Español magazine, setting me as the most important stylist in the industry. I founded Trendy Group with my husband and through the years we have grown to be one of the most relevant fashion companies in Latin America and the US Hispanic industry. Our newest creation, Trendy Academy was born in 2017 where we transfer in our courses all our knowledge and experience to the new generation of stylists, and we also offer personal style courses to anyone who wants to improve their image or personal brand.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course, every career brings obstacles and struggles, especially at the beginning where nobody believed in the need of celebrities or talents on camera for somebody to care about every detail of their image. Also, being an immigrant with a heavy accent sometimes came on the way. It was also very challenging to build a business and at the same time raise two kids. At that time social media or agencies that represent stylists were not built so I had to show my work one-on-one to possible clients, since then my work has always been from referrals.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a stylist and a Costume Designer, I am specialized in the Latin American entertainment industry dressing celebrities for all types of events, red carpets, videos, editorials, and tours. I am the Costume Designer for the most recognized Latin American award shows such as: Latin Grammys, Latin Billboards, Latin American Music Awards, Premios Juventud, and Premios Lo Nuestro. Additionally, I am the head coach of Trendy Academy which is my new passion in this stage of my career, being a mentor to the new generations of stylists. Also, with my workshops and seminars, I teach the importance of finding your style as part of your personal brand and embrace it with empowerment of being who you are. I am known as the most recognized stylist in the Hispanic Entertainment industry and named as one the 25 most influential women by People En Español magazine and one of the 75 most powerful people by Poder magazine. I am most proud of my family, having a husband for 32 years, also my partner that has supported me during my career, and raising two amazing professional kids. What sets me apart from others is my professionalism and creativity. I have always run my business with integrity and 100% dedication.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I think luck is being prepared when an opportunity comes. I have always been on top of my game to be ready for challenges and new clients and opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.irmamartinez.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irmastyle/
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/irmastyle
Image Credits
Gerardo Briceño
