It’s been 30 years since the Texas Tejano icon Selena’s life was taken, yet her spirit and energy live on in those who knew her and those who loved her music. In honor of the new exhibit, “The Selena Effect” at The Wittliff Collections, the star’s longtime friend and fashion designer Martin Gomez spoke to fans at a special event hosted in the Alkek Teaching Theatre. Gomez discussed his chance meeting with Selena that led to helping her build her fashion and boutique empire. He not only designed some of her most iconic outfits, but he offered her a fashion friendship that let their creativity collaborate into wearable art.
Fans filled the theatre, donning Selena shirts and Selena-inspired outfits. The event kicked off with a rendition of Selena’s hit “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” by the TXST Mariachi Band.
The conversation was mediated by The Wittliff’s Texas Music Curator Hector Saldaña, who led the discussion with questions about Gomez’s career and relationship with Selena.
Gomez was born and raised in San Antonio where he worked hard to be the first in his family to attend college, earning multiple Bachelor of Arts degrees in Fashion Merchandising and Business. His dream since he was seven years old was to be the fashion designer for Dillard’s department stores, which only had fashion buyers previously. Throughout his career he made that dream a reality, growing the brand from a multimillion dollar company to a multibillion dollar operation. He is an expert in fashion design, product development and global sourcing, using many of these skills during his time running Selena’s fashion company.
Gomez met Selena in a chance encounter at a Woolworth five-and-dime cafe in Corpus Christi. He was dining with a friend when Selena walked in and he was struck by her beauty and style. He had no idea who she was even though at the time she was playing major shows and had hits on the radio. His friend informed Gomez that Selena was famous and he got the idea to ask her to sign a napkin. Gomez strolled up to Selena and asked for her autograph.
Gomez was in Corpus Christi for his executive training for Dillard’s, his dream manifesting. Selena noticed his Dillard’s name tag and lit up at the fact that he worked in fashion. Selena gushed over her love of fashion and her dreams to design herself.
“As she was leaving, she turned, smiled and said, I’m glad I met you, call me,” Gomez read from his book. Selena had not only autographed the napkin but written her phone number.
Gomez was so focused on his training at Dillard’s that he did not call the Tejano star. A month after their introduction, Selena visited the department store, where a crowd formed around the singer. When Gomez found her, she lit up and asked him why he hadn’t called. Someone in the crowd asked “‘Who’s that?” and Selena announced that Martin Gomez was going to be her fashion designer.
Throughout the next years they worked together on designs, not only for Selena’s stage appearances but her boutique clothing store as well. Gomez and Selena realized they had much in common.
“I really think that Selena was caught off guard with me, because as a fashion designer, I have an air of femininity to me and she was around the macho machismo Mexicano kind of music industry people and then she meets this guy who is, you know, a fashion guy,” Gomez said. “I think she found someone she could be real with.”
They formed a creative chemistry, with Selena calling Gomez while she was on tour to explain her ideas.
“I had the power to illustrate what was in her brain,” Gomez said.
Gomez walked the crowd through their robust relationship, taking meetings at Olive Garden, where he joked that she could chow down. The crowd was enthralled, laughing and crying with Gomez as he recounted the joys and sadness of Selena’s story.
Gomez’s story is one of resilience, perseverance and creativity. Starting from living in Section 8 housing as a child to building a fashion empire, he is proof that consistently pursuing your dreams can take you around the world no matter where you start. He is currently working on a book detailing his relationship with Selena.
After the talk, Gomez stayed for an extra hour to meet one-on-one with fans. He took selfies, signed shoes, and shared hugs and tears with emotional fans. The spirit of Selena was felt in the room. Through fans and her friendships with those she loved like Gomez, she lives on.
The full talk can be viewed on the Wittliff’s YouTube page at youtube.com/watch?v=H5FZNK0DrB4.
“The Selena Effect” exhibition is on display and located at the seventh floor of the Alkek Library. Admission to the Wittliff is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and weekends from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
