Today, we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Martinez.
Hi Jackie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
We all find ourselves struggling, some days trudging along at work, and have moments of “Did you choose the right career?” But sometimes, the universe has a funny way of telling you that you’re on the right path.
My name is Jackie Martinez, and I’m a Costume Designer. I was raised in Miami by Cuban parents. As far back as I can recall, costumes were in my blood. My grandmother Rosa would love to create matching outfits for my sister and me from scratch. I initially dismissed it as old abuela work, but I would often catch myself hanging near her on the floor as the foot pedals of her singer sewing machine would rock back and forth. She would let me use whatever fabric scraps fell from the floor, and I would create new outfits for my Barbies. If I didn’t have fabric scraps, I would also turn paper towels into lavish gowns and use markers to decorate them.
Still not wanting to admit that costumes were in my blood, I pursued acting in college. That all changed when a new costume design professor named Marina arrived. She noticed my ease in the space. I felt comfortable asking her a billion questions, and she patiently taught me everything she knew. I’d go home and proudly show my abuela my newly achieved sewing skills.
I remember the first dress that I built for an actress. A beautiful navy floral chiffon dress that moved about effortlessly on stage. The chiffon took a lot of skill to sew, and it was an eye-opening moment that I was prouder of that dress on stage than any other time I was on stage myself. From that moment on I decided to pursue costumes and I didn’t look back.
I decided to go to grad school at UCLA, which was the best choice for me. It helped me secure a PA job and worked my way up to being an Assistant Costume Designer. I encountered people who would mentor me and taught me invaluable skills. I worked as a coordinator for costume supervisors and learned from the best while working on several Marvel productions as a Fabric Shopper.
Eventually, I worked up to the level of Assistant Costume Designer.
Working under Isis Mussenden as her ACD under LAWMAN: BASS REEVES challenged me in a way I didn’t expect. Due to Taylor Sheridan’s other successful shows, westerns became popular, and we found ourselves searching high and low for costumes, eventually renting from a shop in Spain.
We created a “Cowboy Closet” featuring multiple sets of costumes so that our characters that required stunts would be ready to go. I love working on creating made-to-order costumes. What I was most proud of was our 50 riders from the 1st Mounted Cherokee Rifles (the first time that group of soldiers was represented on film). My team oversaw dressing them from head to toe, sourcing fabrics and leather, and building all the accessories from scratch.
Again and again, I smile while working because I realize the universe has put a mentor at every stage of my career. They encouraged me, and they helped to make me an important member of the team. I am ever grateful.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
If it were a smooth road, it’d be boring! I came from a resourceful family, making do with what we had, and it has influenced me to be more adaptive and creative with my design aesthetic.
Making that jump from Miami to Los Angeles right after the last financial crisis with no financial cushion for grad school was tough. It was scary! But I am tenacious, and when you show up in Los Angeles with nothing to fall back on, the only way is onward and upwards! So, I knocked on every door, sent emails, and built a strong network of contacts so I could always find work.
Despite the strike being over, Hollywood hasn’t started too many projects in LA, and I’m one of the many affected by the lull in the workload. I’d typically be working right now, but it seems like many projects are going abroad. I’m currently working on my friend’s play for the Hollywood Fringe Festival.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe you can tell us more about your work next?
As a costume designer, my main goal is to help tell stories. I want to help illustrate what a character is all about, even without them speaking. I sit with the director, and we talk about ideas. I get to work doing research. Next, I hit the ground running, sketching ideas, sourcing fabrics, and buying or renting costumes. Then, we step into that fitting and explore the character with the actor for the first time.
What gives me an advantage is my sewing ability and fabric background. My start on the multiple Marvel films has influenced the way I create costumes. This has led me to become well-connected with all sorts of local and international vendors.
Another unique skill of mine is my ability to empathize with the actor in a fitting room. It’s a vulnerable moment, shaking hands with a stranger and then saying, “Nice to meet you. Let’s have you try new things on.” It’s much like a first date but in a fitting room. The more you understand the person, the more you understand where their character will go and what their choices might be.
It’s difficult to say which project I’m most proud of as they’re all my babies. But perhaps it’s THE WORLD OF STEAM, which was a Victorian science fiction project set in a steampunk world. I built many of the costumes myself since we’d need multiple for stunts. Sourcing everything from the herringbone wool to reindeer horn buttons was a delight.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I discovered my love for hiking during Covid! I’ve summited nineteen peaks in Southern California with my two buddies I met on the first season of Apple TV’s FOR ALL MANKIND. It was the best way ever to spend a scary time. We recently did our first backpacking trip through all of Catalina in three days, completing 20 miles on our first day. By the end we hiked for a total of 38 miles with very heavy packs!
The costumes for the upcoming play 638: AN UNCOMMONLY COMICAL REVIEW OF AN ACCIDENTAL ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT OF FIDEL CASTRO features an all-Latino cast and crew and will have five performances June 9th through the 27th at The Broadwater Second Stage, at 6320 Santa Monica Blvd 90038. www.hollywoodfringe.org for tickets!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jackiemartinez.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designerjackie
- Other: imdb.me/jackiemartinez
