Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Romero
Hi Maria, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a textile and fashion designer, and like everyone’s, my journey has been full of twists and turns. It all began with frequent moves—Spain, Mexico, Italy—and for the past 14 years, New York has been my home. I originally came here for love and the dream of living in NYC. While the love faded, the dream persisted, leading me in unexpected directions that sometimes left the path unclear. But as time passes, everything starts to make sense, and looking back, I can truly appreciate the road I’ve traveled.
My creative design studio is the result of this ongoing journey, and it continues to evolve. Today, I run a clothing brand, offer consultancy services, and maintain an active artist practice. I’m also diving into an exciting new venture in the world of food with friends, which fills me with so much joy. Everything makes sense.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life isn’t smooth, and I’m still learning how to adapt to all the rough edges I’m encountering. It’s unfamiliar and sometimes feels like uncharted territory, but I’m working on becoming the best sailor I can be. I like to know where I stand, and I crave softness—if you touch the textiles I work with, you’ll understand this about me instantly. But we live in a world where the rug is constantly being pulled from under our feet, in ways that are both near and far, familiar and unexpected. We’re all just surviving.
As I sit here writing from the calm of my home, wrapped in soft fabrics with a good cup of coffee in hand, I’m reminded of how easy I have it compared to so many.
Running a business on my own has been wild. Beautiful, yes, but not an easy ride. I always say I’m rich in love—the community and family I’ve built through my projects is priceless—but the financial and emotional toll has been scary. I speak for myself, but I know this is the reality for so many creatives running their businesses, doing things slowly and in line with the world they want to see. Mothers, entrepreneurs, women making it on their own—it’s brave, you know? But it’s rarely talked about. People often assume I’ve been running my business for years with a big team behind me. In reality, my team is me and my friends. From the outside, it might look smooth, but that’s not the full picture.
We don’t give enough credit to the humans behind the projects that inspire, bring people together, and create with heart. It’s been lonely at times, even though I have people by my side every step of the way. I’m deeply grateful for that support, and it’s what reassures me that I’m on the right path. But change and transformation—those always need to be welcomed.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I do different things, but in the end, they’re all connected in their way. I started in menswear design, tailoring clothing, but eventually took a step back into textiles, artisanal practices, and custom design. I opened a natural dye house, which functioned as a dry cleaner for naturally colored fabrics. Seeing the waste and poor quality of the materials people were wearing, I launched a clothing brand—a permanent collection made entirely from natural materials, down to the finest details. Recently, I’ve expanded into consulting for other brands, doing everything from creative direction to design and set design. It’s been a nice way to step back from the full-time grind of my own business, and mentoring others has helped me learn from the mistakes I made along the way.
I’m proud that I’ve been able to manage all of this while staying healthy and grounded in a loving community.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I need that advice too. If I could go back in time, all I’d tell myself is: breathe, drink water, and find a mentor. I’ve been my own mentor throughout most of my journey. While that’s brought me many victories, it’s also come with frustration, loneliness, and confusion at times. Now, I’ve come to realize that everyone who enters my life teaches me something, so in a way, I have all the mentors I need.
My advice? Be present—anyone can teach you something. But without a doubt, the first step in any practice is finding someone who’s already walked the path. Follow their trail as long as it aligns with your own.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.studiomariaromero.com & www.tintoreriacloset.com
- Instagram: @tintoreriacloset @studiomariaromero
Image Credits
Photographs by Winky Lewis ( for a collaboration with Two Dawson )
