From glittering bustiers to iconic bodysuits, Selena Quintanilla’s bold style defined an era and embodied the confidence of Tejano culture. Decades later, her creative partner and fashion designer, Martin Gomez, is opening his personal archives to share the untold story behind that legacy.
“She dreamed of creating what we now call a lifestyle brand,” Gomez recalls. “She wanted stores, fragrances, beauty salons, even a spa — a world where her fans could experience Selena beyond the stage.”
The Designer’s Archive
For the first time, Gomez is displaying his original sketches and rare garments — each piece a fragment of memory, creativity, and friendship. “This was the elegance of Selena,” he says, describing his bead box, threads, and patterns preserved for thirty years.
These intimate items are now part of The Selena Effect, an exhibition at The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University. The display features Gomez’s designs alongside photography and artwork that capture Selena’s influence across generations.
Friendship in Fashion
Gomez first met Selena by chance in Corpus Christi when he was twenty-eight and she was twenty-two. “I was finishing my executive training at Dillard’s when I bumped into her,” he recalls. “We started this incredible journey together.”
Their shared passion for fashion quickly evolved into collaboration. “We didn’t have shows like Project Runway back then,” Gomez says. “We were the first true celebrity brand.”
Crafting the Signature Look
Together, they developed Selena’s signature stage and boutique collections. Every piece began as a pencil sketch and evolved through color renderings and sample fittings. “Each garment started as a toile — a test piece with notes like ‘too big’ or ‘adjust here.’ Selena was particular about quality,” Gomez explains.
She insisted that her designs remain both glamorous and affordable. “Originally, we planned more buttons, but the cost would have been too high,” Gomez remembers. “She wanted fashion that her fans could actually wear.”
Building a Brand from South Texas
Launching a fashion brand in Corpus Christi was far from easy. “It’s hard to sew and produce locally,” Gomez says, “but we did it.” Together, they opened two boutiques — one in Corpus Christi and another in San Antonio — both bearing the label Martin Gomez, exclusively for Selena.
“Even after all these years, that time remains the most special part of my career,” he reflects.
Preserving the Legacy
After Selena’s tragic death, Gomez continued his career in New York, Europe, and Asia before returning to San Antonio. For three decades, he kept their story private. Now, through his exhibit and upcoming book, he’s ready to share it with the world.
“The Selena Effect is about more than fashion,” he says. “It’s about the power of possibility — about two Mexican American kids who dreamed big and changed what fashion could mean.”
