From childhood sketches to Miami Swim Week, Priscilla Martinez is Designing With Intention, Emotion, and the Power of Serendipity.
In the heart of Las Vegas, designer Priscilla Martinez had a fashion awakening—though not the kind anyone hopes for. After splurging on a supposedly one-of-a-kind ombré sequin bikini, she arrived at a glamorous pool party only to be met by an army of look-alikes.
“I was horrified,” Martinez recalled. “I had just spent so much money only to look like we were all cheerleaders for the same team.”
That eye-opening moment sparked a movement. Born from a need for originality, elegance, and confidence, Atelier Martinez is Martinez’s answer to cookie-cutter resort-wear. The brand celebrates individuality, story-driven design, and garments with soul.
Her passion for fashion began early—with a sewing machine, a sketchbook, and a visionary mother.
“That moment will stay with me forever,” Martinez said, recalling when her mom turned her and her sister’s childhood wedding gown sketches into real dresses. “It was more than a dress; it was the beginning of our legacy.”
That legacy runs through every stitch of Atelier Martinez. Her mother’s maiden name is sewn into each label as a tribute to the woman who embodied strength, softness, and unshakable style.
Each limited collection is a curated story. Martinez doesn’t just think about trends—she thinks about moments. The moments women want to feel radiant, empowered, and unforgettable.
“I design with my heart, not my head,” Martinez said. “I picture the woman wearing it, where she’s going, how she’s feeling… The only constant is that the moment is hers.”
Every piece is intentionally crafted—no mass production, no filler. The label is known for limited runs (400 pieces or fewer per style) and silhouettes that honor diverse body types. And behind the fantasy lies a deeply-rooted intention.
“‘Consciously crafted’ to me means care in every detail from sourcing to stitching,” Martinez said.
That care extends to her choice of sustainable fabrics, hand-finished embellishments, and artisanal methods like crochet and macramé.
“I think deeply about how each piece will live,” she added. “It’s an emotional process, one that honors both the planet and the women we design for.”
Her most recent triumph, the Serendipity Collection, embodies everything Atelier Martinez stands for. A last-minute mishap with a key runway look nearly led to disaster—until her mother stepped in once again.
“Less than 24 hours before the show, she repurposed a beaded panel from a previous design and hand-sewed it onto a new silhouette,” Martinez said. “It turned out to be a defining look.”
The showstopper closed her runway debut at Miami Swim Week—a dream five years in the making.
“The backstage chaos, the adrenaline, the energy, I loved it,” she said. “But it wasn’t until I walked the finale with my models and heard the applause that I fully processed it. I was crying behind the curtain…”
Looking ahead, Priscilla envisions an empire: curated boutiques, limited drops, and unforgettable vacation-ready pieces.
“It sounds simple, but I truly believe in fashion’s power to transform,” she said. “It’s the difference between surviving the day and owning it.”
As for her fashion philosophy? A quote by Karl Lagerfeld remains her compass—delivered with a wink:
“Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life, so you bought some sweatpants.”
Martinez laughs. “Trust me, I’ve had those days… But when I pull myself together and slip into something that makes me feel powerful, that’s when I remember who I am.”
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