Fashion Designer Goes Wild

(based on a story in All About You magazine, May 1997)

Ever since Melissa Martinez got her hands on a needle, her hands have been sewing. From designing bubble wrap dresses for Barbie to working as the head designer at Quicksilver, Martinez has come a long way. As a teenager Martinez prepared for the career ahead of her in many ways. She practiced her talent by sewing her own prom dress, she joined Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA-- an organization in high schools offering programs in fashion, advertising, and merchandising), and working in retail stores after school. After high school, Martinez went to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, learning that there is more to the job of a fashion designer than just drawing. Melissa now works at Quiksilver and is busier than ever. She works internationally, keeps up to date with the latest fashions, and attempts to sell her ideas to others. But to Martinez, all the work is worth it to see other people wearing the clothes that she designed.

Home