We were lucky to catch up with Gin Martini recently and have shared our conversation below.
Gin , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
My mom always created costumes and was Back stage at my dads Performances as an actor. She created costumes for us for Halloween and Dance recitals!
I think in some ways i always new. I couldn’t avoid even if i wanted to it’s in my blood.
but when I took art classes in High school i honed in on Fashion.
when I visited New york for the first time i realized how many different Facets of the Fashion industry there were and How important each one could be. anything is possible.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
As an Artist i try and listen to the needs of those around me and one of the things i noticed was a lack of custom costuming for Plus size individuals. There were Plus size clothing stores for casual Looks but nothing for formal events, Performances or Stage shows!
So I started off working with a few Local drag Artists who happened to be Big girls, We collaborated on many custom Looks for their performances!
Most recently I am Proud of My work being featured on Mistresse Isabelle Brookes for the latest season of Rupauls Drag race! We made a custom runway Look for her Out of a Gold metallic Vinyl!
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Marcus Lemonis from The profit has really Shaped my thinking on Business! His focus is People Product and the Process. and that has always stuck with me! (It would be cool to meet him one day!)
But in my own Studio I try to make sure that the product I put out is the best I can do with the tools that I have, if my tools are weak, I re-invest and get better tools! Tabatha Coffey of Salon Takeover taught me that too. I remeber one episode she had a salon owner literally throw money out of a window. because he would spend money on stuff that didn’t grow the business like Parties or cars!?
So i learned the best thing to do with any profit or income is to re-invest FIRST. so i try to make sure i have the best tools, machines, Fabrics and people!
At the moment it’s just Myself and my Partner Alejandro that Cut sew and I make all the Patterns from scratch. on the occasion that we have people who can help cut or sew i make sure they are well taken care of and credited for the time they put in!
Any Lady Gaga interveiw I’ve seen she always gives credit to the people who’ve helped her succeed. I always want to make sure if someone is helping us in the studio, they are credited for their work!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My mission this year is to Upcycle more designs. meaning I will salvadge or re-use clothing and fabric as much as possible. There are so many secondhand resources online at the moment for Bulk Fabrics, patterns, Tools, It’s easy to go Buy something brand new but it forces you to be creative when you don’t have the luxury of choice!
I get to create new textiles and fabrics with denim scraps, or cut up Old clothing to create new pieces that will be loved and loved in going foward!
Contact Info:
- Website: GinMartiniDesigns.com
- Instagram: @GinMartiniDesigns_
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/ginmartini
- Twitter: @Gin_Martini
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ginmartinidesigns1247
Image Credits
Mistress Isabelle Brookes Close your eyes Photos Kitty Kontour Scout