Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Márquez.
Natalia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico and as a child, clothes were always my form of expression, and believe me, I went through all sorts of phases and styles. At 23, I decided to get my master’s in Motion Pictures at the University of Miami. My original intention was to be a director/writer, but that eventually changed when a friend of mine, who’d noticed how much I loved clothing, recommended I try costuming. I slowly fell in love from there, and I say slowly because I just never thought costume design would be my thing: but as Steven Spielberg once said, “A dream is something you never knew was going to come into your life… it doesn’t often come at you screaming in your face, sometimes a dream almost whispers”. Nevertheless, I ended up sticking with it and specializing in Costume Design at UM.
A year after graduating, I got my first paid gig as a costume assistant on the Netflix film, The Last Thing He Wanted. If you’re in the industry, you know how difficult it can be to break in, unless someone recommends you. I was fortunate that Sherry Lemaire, now a dear friend of mine, took a chance on me when she barely knew me at the time and helped me get the job. And not just any job; I got to work with Ane Crabtree, costume designer for The Handmaid‘s Tale and Westworld. Coincidently, I always admired her work, so to work with her was the experience of a lifetime. I also got to join a big team of some of the best here in Miami, making sure to work harder than I ever had before, to prove myself and learn as much as I could. This local group I’d developed a relationship with were the same people who kept hiring and recommending me for other jobs further on down the road, allowing me to gain the experience I needed. After two years of working as an assistant, I really wanted to step out of my comfort zone and step into the role of costume designer. Scared as hell, I landed a gig with a great crew that sells movies to Lifetime, and from that point on, I have been working solely as a costume designer and wardrobe stylist.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but I consider myself very lucky to have the opportunities I’ve had. I think the toughest part for me has been finding my style and not only finding what makes my costuming unique but being confident in it. I used to focus a lot on pleasing the client/director and trying to do what I thought they wanted to see (which is important) but I didn’t stop to consider what I wanted. Back then, I didn’t understand the importance of prioritizing living up to my own standards and seeking to please myself. I now know that although my job is to achieve the overall vision that is asked of me, they’ve also hired me to bring in that extra detail that they haven’t thought of. I’ve had to grow confidence in why they hired me. Only you can do what you do.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a freelance costume designer/wardrobe stylist. I am my own company, Natalia Márquez, and I specialize in creating character. I’d say that I am most known for helping actors transform into their characters. I like to talk to them about their own perspective and analysis of who they will be playing and as we move through their emotional arcs, I build a wardrobe that speaks to their character’s story. Whether the story has detailed it or not, and honestly, whether anybody notices or not, I like to add details and create backstory for their wardrobe items, giving them something to physically connect with their characters. This is probably the part that I love the most about my job. I love stories and I love characters even more.
Now, In terms of styling, I’d say I’m most known for my color and pattern mixing, as well as my love of accessorizing. For me, accessorizing can make or break an outfit. I recently worked on a short film called “Water,” written and directed by Brittney Rae, and I got full creative liberty to create a world of characters, costume wise. It may have been a period piece from the ’60s, but I got to push the envelope and really think out of the box. I had the best time of my life and it’s been my proudest moment yet as a costume designer. I took a risk, played all my cards and didn’t hold back. There’s nothing I love more than when someone says that they saw an outfit of mine and thought, “oh yeah, that’s Natalia‘s work there”. Unfortunately, I can’t show you pictures of that project yet, but keep an eye out for it cause it’s gonna be good!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is a subjective word, in my opinion. I believe in celebrating every step we take towards moving forward, growing and learning, big or small. Success isn’t a destination; it’s a journey, as corny as that may sound. Every job I get is a success because I’m doing something I love. Being a freelancer can be a risky endeavor, but I’d rather take the risk in making a living out of something that makes me happy than to settle for a “safer” lifestyle.
This is not to say I don’t have goals. I plan on winning an Academy Award someday, but on a more personal level, I want to make an impact on society and help people heal. Mental health awareness is a HUGE priority in my life and something I believe we need to keep talking about more and more. Specifically, redefining body image in the fashion world is a must, and though we are starting to be more inclusive as a whole, there’s still a long way to go. This is why the goal is to launch a clothing line that is interactive with one’s image recovery and journey towards loving themselves. My boyfriend, Janmarco Santiago (co-creator) and I are still in the midst of designing and getting an idea for the overall look, but we want it to be more than just about fashion. The clothes are for YOU to wear for yourself, not for others. Overall, I just want to do what I love. I love clothes, stories and helping others with their mental health struggles. If I can strive to work at this every day, that’s enough success for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.natawashere.com
- Email: nmarquez20091@gmail.com
- Instagram: natawashere
Image Credit:
Karli Evans (Photographer)
Janmarco Santiago (Photographer/Actor)
Andrea Garcia Marquez (Photographer/Director)
Green Light Cameras & Cesare Salerno (Company/Director of Photography)
Elisabetta Fantone Cohen (Model)
Maye (Model)
Ana Osorio (Model/Actress)
Owen Miller (Actor)
Romon Nuñez (Actor)
Tatum Price (Actress)
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