University Star

Photo Courtesy of Jessica Salazar

Jessica Salazar, fashion merchandising senior, created a line of golf apparel aimed at younger enthusiasts of the sport.

Jessica Salazar’s favorite passion is fashion, aside from golf.

The woman is on a mission, from designing her own attire to picking out the fabrics for a custom creation.
Salazar, fashion merchandising senior and member of the women’s golf team, has designed a line of golf apparel aimed at a fashion forward consumer.

The Bobcat fashionista designed a six-piece women’s sports attire collection for a McAllen fashion show exhibit. The collection featured leopard prints, neon colors, leather, stripes and even a bikini – items rarely seen on the golf course.

Salazar said the collection’s “look-at-me colors” are meant to be worn by a confident person.

“Golf is more reserved with natural colors and patterns,” Salazar said. “I try to incorporate (color) in the line to appeal to younger people.”

Coach Mike Akers said students her age do not typically posess such high aspirations.

Salazar’s activities include the Student Advisory Committee and the Fashion Merchandising Association, where she is helping to direct art layout for a fashion blog.

She is also a member of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists.

“I call it the nerdy group of the fashion world,” Salazar said.

Salazar submitted a digital poster to the national materials technology competition held by the AATCC. She placed third nationally for her product design, an Under Amour-like undershirt garment to relieve pain.

Akers has asked for Salazar’s advice on golf team uniforms.

“I e-mail her and get her advice on different materials,” Akers said. “We play in so much heat and want something that’s going to breathe.”

Salazar is a FashioNation model who has stomped the runway in multiple shows.

“She’s real spicy,” said Courtni Martin, model coordinator for FashioNation. “She has a great personality, great look and great potential to be a successful model.”

Salazar is featured on a billboard in San Antonio for the Hispanic magazine, Poder.

Salazar found time in her schedule to polar-bear dip into the chilly waters of the Gulf of Mexico at South Padre Island during the winter break.

“I keep myself pretty busy,” Salazar said. “If I’m not studying, I’m golfing. If I’m not golfing, I’m doing some kind of thing with fashion. I squeeze a social life in there somewhere.”

Salazar has interned with Prime Outlets and Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH.

Salazar said she was lucky to meet Saks CEO Stephen Sadove.

“I actually stopped him in front of the restroom to talk to him,” Salazar said. “I asked him for advice on being successful.”

Salazar declined an offer from Saks to enter their management training program.

“By 25 I could have been a store director,” Salazar said. “It just didn’t feel right. I felt there was something else out there for me.”

A job-shadow at the corporate headquarters for Academy Sports and Outdoors allowed her to observe product production and shipment.

Salazar said she saw products that were not yet available in stores.

She began an internship in September with the proprietary department at Golfsmith.

“It’s nice having someone around with a fresh perspective,”said Amber Bonander, category manager at Golfsmith.

Salazar said she plans to pursue a master’s degree after graduation in May.

“I believe if you’re passionate about what you’re doing, that will make you successful,” Salazar said.

Video produced by Katie McGaha