
PROFESSIONALS DIRECTORY
Welcome to the TFII Professionals Directory, a place to discover world class Texas fashion talent. These professionals work at an excelled level and display years of experience in their field. Through the TFII Professionals Directory, members meet other Texas fashion industry professionals, build relationships, do business with other Texans and serve as leading advocates for the positive growth of the Texas Fashion Industry globally. Click on their image to discover these incredible ambassadors and their businesses below.
LARI NELSON
Owner of Lari Nelson Fashion Group / THE AGENCY Modeling & Talent
25+ Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
Now with over 15 years of training models and sending them off to larger markets under my belt, I can understand the entire process of the fashion industry on a deeper level and am incredibly proud to pass on my knowledge as a proud representative and leader of the Texas Fashion Industry.”
JULES ALDAZ
Wardrobe Stylist for Great Day SA-KENS5/Style by Jules & Boutique Owner, TREND
25+ Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
As a professional fashion wardrobe stylist, I am privileged to help so many achieve their style goals. Encouraging my clients, that’s the most fashionable part of any outfit. I strive to make them feel strong, confident, and comfortable. through styling, I am proud to represent the Texas fashion industry.”
PAM LUTRELL
Fashion Influencer For Woman 50+ & Journalism Educator
25+ Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
In 2010 I began a blog called “Over 50 Feeling 40″ which has grown to own a Google Page Rank 4 and a thriving daily audience of women 40+. In 2014 I began a new inspirational campaign called I MATTER, where women are inspired and encouraged to look and feel their very best! I am passionate about assisting careers in fashion and to continue to open and grow particularly in San Antonio. This creative, thriving community needs a strong fashion representation and I am excited to be an advocate for this positive growth in Texas”
MICHAEL QUINTANILLA
Fashion Writer & Editor/Advocate for many charities and casues
25+ Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
She sent me to New York, Milan and Paris because she wanted to send a curious reporter. And it was that curiosity that has kept me in fashion for all these years, calling up my curiosity to learn why fashion even exists.
And here’s why it does: fashion is emotional, fashion is funny, fashion is rebellious, fashion is a sport, fashion is intellectual, fashion is passionate, fashion is a crime, fashion segregates, fashion unites, fashion is democratic, fashion inspires. Fashion gives voice. And I believe that’s what TFII will strive to do: give fashion in Texas a big voice because as it is often said, everything is big in Texas.”
MICHELLE TAYLOR
Owner, Stylist, and Educator at Smooth Lines Salon & Spa
23 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
Through the highest quality spectrum of salon and spa services and products, we make all of our customer’s look and feel fantastic. Our Stylist are trained by the leading stylist from Coast to Coast. We maintain a high standard of education for our team and work to ensure our clients look their best. We are so excited to support the Texas fashion industry during TEXAS FASHION WEEK™. Come on out, see our work, meet the team and book your appointments with us.”
GOLDEN SKYY
Owner/Educator at Golden Skyy Fashion Design Prep-Studio/Textile & Fashion Designer
23+ Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have attended some of the top design schools around the world and so I want to make a positive impact in breaking down the basic structure of learning and focus on a core curriculum. This re-engineered method of teaching will allow each student to excel at a much higher pace than your average entry-level student. Education is the fuel that powers a positive future!”
NAOMI WANJIKU
Fashion Artist at Wanjiku Designs
21 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
Today, I intertwine my country’s heritage with my fashion art and am very passionate about mentoring upcoming artists, and representing Texas in my shows in major art capitals of the world.”
PRISCILLA MARTINEZ
Jewelry Designer & Chief Creative Officer of Joyarte Couture and Priscilla Laurel
16 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
I will defend and advocate our position for progressive artistic growth in Texas and I will be a positive voice for the fashion community in a city that is still awakening to amazing fashion possibilities, thus contributing to the Texas fashion industry as a whole.”
KIRSTEN THOMPSON
Creative Director | Wardrobe Stylist - Personal & Editorial | Costumer
9 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
From my two beautiful grandmothers to the man who delivered the most vibrant garments from the big city – via his van – to our doorsteps before mobile boutiques were even a thing. Members of my community imprinted on me. The art of style made me feel so alive! After working over 20 years in fashion and retail, it still does! Growing the Texas Fashion Industry will not only lead to opportunities and exposure for members of our community, but for those industries to which we are tangently connected. At the 2018 San Antonio Fashion Awards, Erika Prosper Nirenberg stated: “The creative industries contribute 4.3 billion dollars to the San Antonio economy and account for over 21,000 jobs.” Fashion has made a significant impact on those statistics – and on a larger scale throughout our state. Economic empowerment is integral to the well-being of any community. We also need beauty and creative energy in this world. Fashion is the perfect prescription!”
AGOSTO CUELLAR
Fashion Designer
21 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
This was my start as a local vintage store that grew into a cultural phenomenon locally. Tim Gunn has called me a “Wild Card” when it comes to my designs and I am the proud founder and producer of Runway En La Calle, a 10 year old project that pioneered the 50′ outdoor runway experience in the West Side of San Antonio, Texas. This project featured up and coming talent that would otherwise not have a platform for exposure and allowed established designers to showcase in a unique event this pushed the boundaries of culture and art. This year, my personal collection will be showcased in New York and Paris with my homecoming being in San Antonio at FASHION WEEK SATX™. Throughout my journey I have naturally gravitate towards supporting the positive growth of the local fashion industry and so I am proud to be a leader and member of TFII and continue to show the world that Texas is a force to be reckoned with.”
LISA WELLER
Owner, Twirl Salon & Twirl Salon Austin
11 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
I don’t want to have to explain to the outside Fashion community why I choose to live in Texas, I want it to be obvious! I am rooting for everyone because it inspires me to try harder and get better to see others doing the same in my own city and state.”
OLIVIA VILLA
Owner and Makeup Innovator at LivBeautified, LLC
11 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
I love being part of the fashion and arts community. There is so much talent here and I am proud to be part of this beautiful city. I love supporting our community in any way I can. I am excited to represent Texas globally.”
DOMINIC M. ALONZO
Celebrity Hairstylist/Owner at Salon DMA
11 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
“I am beyond excited to be a part of something new and fresh for San Antonio and Texas! This will be a great movement and I’m ready to show the world what we have to offer! Being a born native, this city and state are dear to me, so making moves with my fashion community like TFII will be one for the books! Let’s make moves Texas!”
ROSA ISELA ROMO
Luxury Couture Miliner and owner at Rosa Isela.
11 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
“I just love everybody’s creativity. I love how we all express ourselves with Art and I love getting to know everyone’s world through the mind of an artist. Us artists wouldn’t be able to share our art with the world if it weren’t for this industry and organizations like this! I love being part of something big like TFII!”
ERIN O'BRIEN
CEO & Editor-in-Chief at 71 Magazine
14 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
CALLEY RIVERA
Designer & Owner at Sew Studio
11 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
Most of my clients are Texans and their success is my passion.”
BOBBY MALOY
Internationally Recognized Hairdresser & Educator
6 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
The quality and integrity of hair is the equivalent of the craftsmanship of a luxury handbag. Clients are worth every dollar and I plan to continue to educate the next generation of hair dressers. Education is key.”
JANAI CANTUA
Owner, Photographer at Jana Cantua Photography
6 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
“I am a female Latina photographer so I’ve had my share of challenges. Most people don’t expect someone like me to be a photographer in the industry, but I know it makes me bring something different to the industry. I would describe my personal style as 1970s meets cosmic cowgirl and my photography style as editorial meets colorful. San Antonio has a vibrant culture and so many fashionable and talented individuals. I want people to know about us and how much we can bring to the table.”
SARAH STONE
Owner of The Perfect Shirt, menswear bespoke clothing store owner
4 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
My great x 5 grandfather worked at the Menger Hotel as a tailor during the time Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders rode through San Antonio. Menswear has always been at the back of mind as my grandmother retold family stories of her Great Grandfather and Teddy Roosevelt. The trend in menswear has evolved into a more tailored and custom style with more and more men easing into custom garments as accessibility increases. The growth of menswear is exponential nationwide, including in San Antonio. Bespoke clients can range from the everyday gentleman to business leaders to music influencers. The future for bespoke menswear is endless and expanding offerings and finishings are the forefront.”
SHO WHITENER
Owner, Photographer at Jana Cantua Photography
4 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
That Fashion can thrive wherever it’s afforded the chance. I believe that Texas is a hidden and untapped breeding ground for the next big move in Fashion. Texas is not just the biggest state for nothing. The bigger the state the more creatives. Texas is Fashion and I look forward to playing a major role in helping it to become the next fashion Mecca of the United States.”
KAREN SCHMELZER
Owner & Stylist at Grayce Ln.
4 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
Especially San Antonio so our city continues to thrive and gain appeal. TFII is amazing and I am so proud to be an ambassador for Texas fashion globally!”
DIANA SNECKNER
Owner & Founder of Avant Agency Inc.
21 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
We have a geographic advantage to Mexico and Latin America that gives us a niche in introducing cross cultural influences in fashion and introducing that to the rest of the world! As a resident in San Antonio, I would like to see more of the best of the best fashion designers show us their work in fashion show events. I would like to help retailers -especially those that are small business retailers- have fashion events available to support their healthy growth in light of todays competitive on line market share. I want to support keeping business local… and with that, keeping our city flavorfully unique.”
JESSE DANIELS
Head of Design & Brand at San Antonio Shoemakers
20 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
MARISOL DELUNA
Marisol Deluna New York, LLC Deluna By Design, Inc. Marisol Deluna Foundation, Inc.
25 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
New York is kind to me- so it’s time to give back to my childhood hometown through our nonprofit foundation, Marisol Deluna Foundation, headquartered in Texas. We encourage creativity and local manufacturing.”
DORA VERA
Design Director at ES&JM Holdings, LLC
7 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
Learning and growing is a big part of me so to be a part of the growth of my industry in my city is a huge deal! This is an amazing start to what will be the rest of our lives in a city that we love and rep so much!”
CHRISTINE DONOVAN
Fashion Design Teacher for NISD
6 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
I strive to provide students with knowledge of the industry as well as experience with designing and creating. I think it’s important to share all the wonderful opportunities SA has to offer.”
THERESA SATTERWHITE
Owner/Business Manager of The LL Plus Brand
8 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
This is the beginning wave a the fashion tsunami that is taking over. I am a part of that wave.”
DOUG DOUGLAS
Modeling Agency Owner & Fashion Photographer
3 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
With a foundation in fashion photography, and now an agency owner, I can see how TFII provides opportunities for people from this area to pursue their dreams without having to move or give up on them altogether. There is no reason why we can’t have a major fashion hub right in Texas.”
IDA De La ROSA ELLIS
President of De La Rosa Designs & Director of Education at Marisol Deluna Foundation
20 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
SHARMON LEBBY
President of Ethical Network of San Antonio
6 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
At Ethical Network we strive to bring people together for this cause and come TEXAS FASHION WEEK™, we hope to make a big impact for awareness.”
KATHY HOEMANN
Painted Pony Owner/President
25+ Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
I feel that now the US designer and manufacturer is in a position to become even more important to the consumer.”
NICK KIRPES
Owner and Designer at VRARE
4 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
KATIE PRUETT
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Ethical Style Journal
25+ Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
AMANDA ALARCON-HUNTER
Owner & Designer at Minx and Onyx
15 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
I am very passionate about the positive growth of fashion in my city and hope to bring up cycled and re purposed products you can feel great about, through a sustainable business model that diverts waste.”
RACHEL KELLEY
Founder and Executive Director of Revolution Thrift, Founder of Ethical Network of San Antonio
6 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
As an advocate for ethical and sustainable fashion, I am excited to be a part of TFII and its mission for connecting everyone involved in the fashion community, which in turn makes us all stronger.”
JAMES CASTRO
Director of Operations at Limatus Bespoke
4 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
Seeing all the amazing talent emerging reassures me that we are headed in the right direction. I’m proud to support the Texas fashion industry because of all the amazing talent that is coming to the forefront. It’s an honor to be lumped in with all the great artists and entrepreneurs and I look forward to seeing what is next for Texas.
I’m proud to support the Texas fashion industry because of all the amazing talent that is coming to the forefront. It’s an honor to be lumped in with all the great artists and entrepreneurs and I look forward to seeing what is next for Texas.”
TESSA MOSS
Lead Designer at Limatus Bespoke
8 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
In a world where dreaming about fashion careers used to be set in places such as New York, it’s an honor to be apart of the constantly growing San Antonio Fashion Industry for the greater good of Texas.”
DEVIN CASTLETON
Founder of Limatus Bespoke
6 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
One of the proudest days of the company this far has been inserting the “Made in San Antonio” labels inside all of our bespoke suits. Now we can represent San Antonio and Texas fashion locally, as well as globally as many of our clients are international and continue to come back to San Antonio for our quality and attention to detail. I’m proud to headquarter here and continue contributing to the economic development of local fashion industry.”
NICOLE ABREGO
Associate Stylist at Limatus Bespoke
5 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
It’s amazing to see local artists have the mentorship and education to help them grow and learn about all things related to the fashion industry. I’m excited to be part of and see the growth of fashion in our community.”
GENNA TOWN
Founder of Limatus Bespoke
3 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
Henry Mahome
Non-Profit President / Streetwear Industry Professional
3 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
learning and networking with peers and testing the strength of my creativity. I want to learn and build taking my passion and becoming a maverick for streetwear and philanthropy.
JON-MICHAEL NARVAEZ
Design Director at ES&JM Holdings, LLC
10 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
I am passionate on educating those who wish to grow a book of business as well as a legitimate stream of income from their passion.”

TRENDSETTER MEMBERS
TFII Trendsetter Members are entry level fashion community aspiring to achieve professional levels in the fashion industry. Through the Texas Fashion industry Initiative, we strive to connect these future professionals with mentors, resources, education and other networking opportunities to further enhance their dreams. Please meet our aspirational Trendsetter Members below.

FASHION FRIENDS
TFII Fashion Friend Members do not work in fashion for a living, but lead fashionable lifestyles and support the growth of the Texas Fashion Industry. We would like to thank our Fashion Friend Members and invite you to discover them as well.

SIMPLY RAYNE
Music Artist
"I'm excited about the positive growth because it will open doors for all art mediums to gain industry standards of education and support as members of TFII."

MARTY ELWARD
Fiber Optical Tech
"This profession is something that my partner Golden Skyy is a big part of here in our city. I am here to help support him and the Fashion Industry in our city and to help it grow to its Fullest Potential"

Crystal Combs
Crystal Clear Photography
"Fashion is art, and as a fellow artist it inspires my work daily."

Mary Rodriguez
Professional Grant Writer for McAllen Independent School District
"I am proud to support the Texas Fashion Industry Initiative as their Chair of Grant Writing and do what I can to make this industry thrive for future generations of fashion community in Texas"

POWER ADVOCATES
TFII Power Advocate Members do not work in fashion for a living, but lead fashionable lifestyles. They are leaders in their industry and have reached high levels of success. These individuals, brands, businesses and organizations understand the importance of nurturing and supporting the fashion & style industry in Texas and typically become TFII event sponsors in order to demonstrate their support. Thank you to our current Power Advocates and all those who will come in the future. We appreciate your support and always look forward to working aside you to bring our mission to fruition.

MAESTRO ENTREPRENEUR CENTER
Fosters entrepreneurship and supports small businesses
"At the Maestro Entrepreneur Center (MEC) in partnership with the Hispanic Chamber, we foster entrepreneurship and provide a platform where learning and collaboration happens. We revolutionize how to grow the next generation of successful entrepreneurs. MEC is a private, non-profit business center for the accelerated development of existing small, minority, woman and veteran owned businesses in the San Antonio Metro Area. We encourage the fashion community to come in and take advantage of our establishment. We support the positive growth of the Texas Fashion Industry!"

HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - SAN ANTONIO
The leading resource, advocate, and access point for Hispanic business
"The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SAHCC) has been selected as one of the best-run chambers in America. A strong advocate for Hispanic business and Hispanics in business for 85 years, the Hispanic Chamber has been officially notified of its designation as a 5-Star Accredited Chamber from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It is the first Hispanic Chamber in the United States to be accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. We are excited to be a supporter of the Texas Fashion Industry, especially here in beautiful San Antonio, Texas."

CENTRO SAN ANTONIO
Leaders in building a more prosperous Downtown, San Antonio.
"We envision Downtown San Antonio as a gathering place, a beautiful place, and as San Antonio’s true center. Our mission is to mobilize people and resources to build a more prosperous downtown. We are excited to support the Texas Fashion Industry, especially as part of our Downtown professional community."

SA2020
Driving progress towards a shared vision for a thriving San Antonio.
"By transparently reporting on progress, engaging and activating the public, and aligning organizations toward shared goals, we bring our city together to design a thriving San Antonio. Arts & Culture are vital to this mission. We are excited to work with TFII."

LIZ BURT
Director of Placemaking & Programming at Centro San Antonio
"We are proud to support the positive growth of the Texas Fashion Industry. We look forward to working with TFII for many years to come."

YOUTH NOUVEAU
Available exclusively to high school students, Youth Nouveau members have insider level access to fashion career support. TFII strives to incubate and connect student’s dreams of a fashion career in conjunction with TFII’s annual cycle leading up to TEXAS FASHION WEEK™. These students receive preferential consideration for all educational opportunities offered through our programming including real work experience behind the scenes with top fashion companies and TEXAS FASHION WEEK™ every fall.

Kyla Wilson
Corpus Christi, TX Member
area of aspiration
Fashion Artist

Jessyka Ruiz
San Antonio, TX Member
area of aspiration
Fashion Design

MEET OUR CHAIRS
Please meet our TFII Chairs. These professionals work at an excelled level and display years of experience in their field. They offer their skills, and talents to help TFII see its mission to fruition and grow a stronger industry for our market. They serve as leading advocates for our members and for the positive growth of the Texas Fashion Industry globally. Click on their image to discover more about these incredible ambassadors.
JESSE DANIELS
Chair of TFII Business Strategies & Planning
20 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
The TFII Professionals Directory is a place for the world to discover quality Texas fashion talent. These professionals work at an excelled level and display years of experience in their field. Through the TFII Professionals Directory, members meet other Texas fashion industry professionals, build relationships, do business with other Texans and serve as leading advocates for the positive growth of the Texas Fashion Industry globally. Click on their image to discover these incredible ambassadors and their businesses below.
CHRISTINE DONOVAN
Chair of TFII Youth Programs
6 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
Christine is a Fashion Design teacher for entry level students for Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, TX. She has been teaching fashion since starting at Stevens HS. She has provided many opportunities for her students to explore their dreams of being in the fashion industry. She has the largest fashion department in NISD and strives to provide students with knowledge of the industry as well as experience with designing and creating. Some of the things they’ve done include the UIW Red Dress Fashion Show, FashionABLE, Texas State Fashion Merchandising Forum, and volunteer to work behind the scenes during the 2019 Fashion Week SATX™ fashion shows.
“I teach students here in SA who have a passion for fashion, but just need a little help to follow their dream. I strive to provide students with knowledge of the industry as well as experience with designing and creating. I think it’s important to share all the wonderful opportunities SA has to offer.”
CALLEY RIVERA
Chair of TFII Manufacturing Initiative
9 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
Calley was in the Civil Engineering Field with the United States Airforce for 8 years. This incredible veteran is now a Fashion Designer, Technical Designer & Fashion Consultant. She has been in the field for nine years and now runs her company, CRC Manufacturing in San Antonio, Texas. Through her Gerber technology resources, she hopes to foster innovation in the manufacturing culture in Texas and leads the way for initiatives that will help create an ecosystem of creation for our local artists and producers of goods. Services provided include pattern making, grading, sample making, marker making and small run production services for private label brands. They also provide technical design, tech pack development and a host of other services. Calley also holds a Bachelors of Applied Arts & Science and a Bachelors degree in Business Administration & Managment from the University of the Incarnate word. Her well rounded intelligence, attention to work ethic and superior experience make her one of San Antonio’s most valuable resources for her field. She is a strong advocate for the positive growth of the Texas fashion industry because she truly understands the power of knowledge in the field, having quality skills, and strong human resources that can fulfill specific sectors of the industry.
“I work in this field and my business success is dependent on a healthy local industry as well as statewide. Most of my clients are Texans and their success is my passion.”
SHARMON LEBBY
Chair of TFII Fashion Sustainability Advocacy
9+ Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
Sharmon is president of The Ethical Network of San Antonio, a group of people and businesses who are prioritizing ethics in their work and purchases. They strive to bring people together to network, support fair trade, local jobs, social enterprise and global missions in support of sustainability advocacy. When she’s not consuming NadaMoo in epic portions, Sharmon is styling people in “ethical wears”. She enjoys helping out other non profits, and has been a Stylist and Creative Director for Revolution Thrift as well as the Social Media Director for Love in Action. She is also the founder of Blessed Designs, an ethical and sustainable clothing brand.
“I am excited to lead the conversation for fashion sustainability with TFII. At Ethical Network we strive to bring people together for this cause and come TEXAS FASHION WEEK™, we hope to make a big impact for awareness.”
CRYSTAL COMBS
Chair of TFII Media Relations
9+ Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
Crystal is a regular among the San Antonio, Texas photography circuit. You will find her out and about shooting celebrities, city events, festivals and every type of memorable outing you can imagine. She owns Crystal Clear Photography and freelances regularly. When it comes to fashion, she has a passion for shooting this medium.
“Fashion is art, and as a fellow artist it inspires my work daily. I’m excited to shoot for TFII and to lend my expertise to gain media resources for our mission.”
NICK KIRPES
Chair of Streetwear Industry Advocacy
21+ Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
With only 4 years in the industry, Nick and his elevated streetwear brand VRARE have seen rapid success and locally and nationally. He hosted an event for Los Angeles Fashion Week, and has had his Brand featured on British GQ three times. When he is not in San Antonio, he is traveling the nation with his brand and continuously seeks new ways to innovate the industry.
“I am passionate about the fashion industry’s growth because it gives an entire community of creatives like myself a continuously growing platform. I am proud to be Chair of the Streetwear Industry Advocacy movement and can’t wait to support this genre of fashion come time for TEXAS FASHION WEEK™ in the fall.”
LARI NELSON
Chair of Model Industry Advocacy
25+ Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
Lari has been in the fashion industry for over 30 years and grew up in a family that owned a factory, retail stores and showroom in the major markets. For the past 15 years she has trained models at her company THE AGENCY Model & Talent and through her guidance and grooming, has succeeded in sending off many to the larger markets, including New York, Japan, Milan, and the list just continues. Her models grow into their own walking shows for the major fashion houses and back home, she continues to scout and seek her next shooting stars. With decades of honorable service to her fashion community, the city and the industry, Lari recently won the first Texas Fashion Industry Professional of the Year Award at the 2019 San Antonio Fashion Awards and continues to be a mother agency to her “model children” afar and at home.
“My family owned a factory, retail stores and showrooms in the major markets, so I have a great admiration for Texas Fashion because, I know it’s hard work! Now with over 15 years of training models and sending them off to larger markets under my belt, I can understand the entire process of the fashion industry on a deeper level and am incredibly proud to pass on my knowledge as a proud representative and leader of the Texas Fashion Industry.”
DIANA SNECKNER
Chair of Model Industry Fundraising
21+ Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
Diana is the owner and director of her company, Avant Agency Inc. A highly experienced fashion industry professional, Diana has worked as a fashion producer/coordinator for over 20 years. She has produced shows for Seventeen Magazine, Glamour Magazine, as well as produced fashion shows for commercial brands such as Tide Laundry Detergent. She has also served as an international fashion show producer for 8 years taking her Avant Agency Fashion models to Mexico City in partnership with AM Producciones. The fashion shows were aired by Televisa. On the print side of things, she worked as a fashion editor for AMUZE Magazine, and created some incredible work during her time there.
“San Antonio has a unique multicultural and diverse footprint as a destination city with a large Hispanic population. We have a geographic advantage to Mexico and Latin America that gives us a niche in introducing cross cultural influences in fashion and introducing that to the rest of the world! As a resident in San Antonio, I would like to see more of the best of the best fashion designers show us their work in fashion show events. I would like to help retailers -especially those that are small business retailers- have fashion events available to support their healthy growth in light of todays competitive on line market share. I want to support keeping business local and with that, keeping our city flavorfully unique.”
MICHELLE TAYLOR
Chair of TEXAS FASHION WEEK™ Glam Squad Resoures
23 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
Michelle has owned Smooth Lines Salon & Spa since 1996. She brings her experience and talent to the forefront. She is an advocate for continuous training for herself and her team.
“At Smooth Lines Salon & Spa we are devoted to education, exceptional customer service and artistic excellence. Through the highest quality spectrum of salon and spa services and products, we make all of our customer’s look and feel fantastic. Our Stylist are trained by the leading stylist from Coast to Coast. We maintain a high standard of education for our team and work to ensure our clients look their best. We are so excited to support the Texas fashion industry during FASHION WEEK SATX™. Come on out, see our work, meet the team and book your appointments with us.”
AMBER YBARRA
Chair of Positive Mindset within the Fashion Industry
5 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
Amber is the beautiful and charismatic founder of The Positive Platform. The Positive Platform By Amber serves in creating a space for women to learn tangible ways to improve their personal and/or business life as well as build a community of like minded women who support one another. Amber has also been a body positive model, so she knows first hand what it takes to be leader for a movement, how to practice mental strength, share herself with others and work hard to achieve the “impossible”. Through her modeling she gained experience in print, magazines, commercials and ultimately she won the Curves Model of the Year award. Through her platform, she hopes to inspire and uplift women and serve as a leading example of diversity and encouragement. She is a motivational speaker and strives to teach support as well as practice it every day.
“I’ve been a model and photographer for the past few years and I own 2 businesses out of this wonderful City. I love to support the community to the highest of my capacity and look forward to growing and continuing forward with my businesses and TFII!”
MARY RODRIGUEZ
Chair of Grant Writing
20 Years Experience
San Antonio, Texas Member
Mary Rodriguez has brought in millions of dollars for the McAllen Independent School District as an educational grant writer and now seeks to help our initiative so that her daughter as well as many other future fashion entrepreneurs can have a brighter future in fashion industry without having to leave Texas.
“I am proud to support the Texas Fashion Industry Initiative as their Chair of Grant Writing and do what I can to make this industry thrive for future generations of fashion community in Texas”

MEET THE BOARD

JEANELLY
CONCEPCION
Vice President
Jeanelly has an M.S. in Natural Resource Conservation & Managment. As vice president she offers her expertise in sustainability and eco-friendly fashion while taking on multiple duties and tasks with the president. Originally from New York City, Jeanelly is of Dominican roots. Having lived in Puerto Rico for over 22 years, she now enjoys a highly successful fashion blogging career at TheFashionLotus.com. She is a Texas influencer and has been a freelance fashion contributor for Style Lush TV for several years. She believes in empowering women through fashion and helping them feel beautiful no matter what their financial situation, body shape, age or where they live or work.

BURGUNDY
WOODS
President
Ms. Woods and her Hollywood colleagues pioneered the online fashion media industry over ten years ago. Many of the stylized ideas and tools launched at that time are still used as industry standard to this day. Having worked for major record labels, including Virgin Records, EMI Music, Capitol, and Interscope, starring as Fashion Curator of MySpace, Inc.’s Fashion Channel and assisting the design department at Laundry by Shelli Segal as well as working with other world famous brands, she felt confident in launching her own fashion media company in 2010. She returned to San Antonio, Texas in 2014 and celebrates nine fruitful years with her company, Style Lush TV Fashion News this year.

CRYSTAL
MARTINEZ
Secretary
Crystal Martinez serves as secretary of the TFII Board and offers her experience as a fashion entrepreneur as well as an experienced professional with financial institutions. A lover of vintage, Crystal is known for her unparalleled curation, styling, and buying power of 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and other vintage decades. A current resident of San Antonio, Texas, Crystal enjoys offering her skills to private clientele and has been a freelance fashion contributor for Style Lush TV for several years as well. She believes fashion serves the soul and can take you on a journey. Whether it’s a creative feeling from the past or an example of self expression in the present, fashion is transcendent.
