It’s not really common to grow up and live your childhood dream. After all, most little ones say they want to be professional athletes, performers or even astronauts.
But Myleen Trevino is one of those rare exceptions… And this Jill of all trades is shooting for the stars in her quest to be fashion’s next big thing.
“I see myself living in California… in La La Land and seeing my work on the big screen,” declares the 29-year-old Mexican American fashionista, a native of Weslaco, Texas. “I pray that I’m continuing my work as a stylist and working on major film and television projects, as well as working with A-list celebrities.”
From the moment she could dress herself Trevino says she was her own stylist. And her parents’ experiences as models would further ignite her passion for fashion.
“I started enjoying fashion at the age of 6,” recalls Trevino, who currently resides in Dallas, where she works as a stylist to stars big and small. “My parents modeled for Barbizon Modeling & Talent Agency, and I would watch home videos of them walking the runway. Watching them all Barbie- and Ken-like in their extravagant-looking clothing was so inspiring to me. I just knew I’d be involved in the fashion industry, in one way or another.”
Three years later, Trevino was learning how to sew from her grandmother, who enjoying creating garments and making quilts for her grandchildren.
“My grandmother taught me how to use the sewing machine,” says Trevino, who would research the creations of designers and fashion houses like Alexander McQueen, Chanel and Max Azria. “So I started playing with fabric and making my own clothes.”
By the time Trevino reached high school, the style-savvy savant was the go-to girl for everything fashion.
“I’d give makeovers and let girls borrow my clothes, and I didn’t even care if I got my clothes back,” remembers Trevino, who appreciated the opportunity to hone her hair, makeup and dressing skills. “I really just wanted to see my style on someone else, and I was proud when they felt confident and happy with their look.”
Trevino, knowing her life’s mission, attended the Art Institute of Houston and the Art Institute of Dallas, where she studied fashion retail management and fashion design.
“Fashion school helped me tremendously and really prepared me for the industry,” acknowledges Trevino. “I learned about fabrics, textures, fit and trends. Fashion is always changing and you have to keep up! You think you know everything because you dress well, but you sit in a classroom and quickly discover there’s so much more to learn.”
But Trevino didn’t just study fashion; she lived and breathed it. Throughout her high school and college years, she worked at several retail stores like Guess, Ralph Lauren, BCBG and Nordstrom.
“Retail helped put things into perspective when it came to the fashion industry,” says Trevino. “It helped me expand my knowledge base, including learning about retail concepts, styling clients and customer service.”
But it would be Trevino’s fateful meeting with her school’s career placement officer that would lead her onto her current path as a stylist.
“She recommended I look into being a dresser for runway fashion shows,” says Trevino. “I ended up doing my first styling job at Houston Fashion Week, where I helped dress the runway models for Fendi.”
In no time, Trevino has managed to make a name for herself in the Lone Star State. She’s worked with La Mode Magazine, Austin Fashion Week and several brands/designers like Sharrari Swimwear and Abi Ferrin. In addition, the fashionista has had the opportunity to style celebrities like Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, America’s Next Top Model contestant Hannah Jones and Survivor: Guatemala winner Danni Boatwright and singer Solange Knowles, Beyonce’s sister.
“Solange came into BCBG to shop and I had the pleasure of helping her choose outfits and accessories for some upcoming trips and events,” says Trevino. “She had a great sense of style, a sweet personality and was confident in my choices.”
So what does it take to become a master wardrobe stylist? It’s all about the research, according to Trevino.
“You have to really study a person and get a sense of who they are, so that you find the right outfits for them,” says Trevino, who keeps up-to-date on the latest fashion trends by reading magazines like Vogue, Marie Claire and WWD. “I want my clients to feel comfortable, stylish, confident and happy with their look.”
And it appears that Trevino could be increasing her client list in the near future. She recently signed with On Set Management, an agency that will be helping her secure more high-profile projects like her most recent project, wardrobe styling on a catalog and website photo shoot for JCPenney corporate.
“My agent says there’s more work to come,” announces Trevino, who says growing up in a small town made her want to stand out instead of fit in. “Once I get more big name projects on my resume, I definitely will be more confident to take my skills to Los Angeles!”
With her strong work ethic, determination to succeed and style savoir-fair, there’s no doubt Trevino will be moving to La La Land in the near future. And, she’ll only need a one-way ticket to get her there.
For more on this rising star, make sure to visit her website, myleenstyles.com.
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