Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Torres.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My love for art started at a very young age. I can remember collecting pieces of what I now consider art and seeing them daily as they hung in my closet. I would save all of my Seventeen Magazines, my Teen Vogues, and my regular Vogues, both in Spanish and English. I would daydream of all the pretty clothes featured in these magazines. As a teenager, I also became very infatuated by antiques and vintage items, which led to another interest in collectables during that time and followed as I got older. Throughout college, I had changed my major multiple times and eventually settled for Public Relations and Political Science. I was very persistent in wanting to make an impact surrounding underprivileged communities which led me to nonprofit. After a few years of working with several nonprofits, I figured there were other ways to help our communities while incorporating my other passions. Through a shift in careers, I found myself working within the fashion industry, where working with luxury clothing was so new and exciting to me that it felt very much like I had fallen in love all over again with this sense of art. I learned more about textures, fabrics, patterns, colors, business, and sales and collaborated in some editorials. All of these things were not only fascinating but fun too! I’d also been more involved in the art scene, where I had been observing and learning from all other types of mediums that showed differences of self-expression. Through these experiences, I was able to cultivate a deep understanding of who I really wanted to be, not just in my career but as a person. My knowledge and experiences moved me into the industry of interiors, and much like fashion; I was very excited about it. I learned so much about upholstery, staging, hard textures, shapes, forms, light, and space – all the great things that make a home, your home. Adding another art interest under my belt. I have currently put a pause in pursuing Interior Design as I focus on other aspects in my life but still prioritize surrounding myself with objects that bring color and authenticity into my world. Going to galleries and museums is a definite must, it keeps me curious for the new and unknown and helps me expand my knowledge every time I visit. Taking risks, working hard, and being persistent, has really helped me navigate who I’ve wanted to become, and consider myself very lucky to have had these wonderful experiences that have led me to where I am today. I still do personal styling and buying for private clients who contact me, and I do my best to encourage them to buy sustainable pieces of clothing and art pieces with a cause.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course, there’s been struggles and things I’ve had to sacrifice to move forward with my life and my career. There are always going to be struggles along the way; the key is knowing how to work through them. For me, there has been a lot of self-doubt as a creative person in my field of interest. Finding ways to help my community and our fellow friends through the pandemic was also a struggle we collectively had to overcome and remaining strong for others was not always so smooth. I’ve learned to embrace my failures and see them as opportunities. Regardless of it all, I believe learning to let go of self-doubt, patience, and persistence, finding peace, and overall staying true to your most authentic self will lead to not avoiding struggles but learning how to navigate.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Working as a personal stylist and helping clients stage rooms of their homes is what I am most proud of. This is what I would consider my specialization. My hard work and determination is reflected in what I do, and I work to convey ethical pieces of what I consider art into people’s lives. It’s the way I look at objects around us that I’d say sets me apart, but it’s the way my clients are captivated by my work that keeps me motivated. My bold, modern narrative style keeps what I do playful and cohesive while remaining sophisticated and chic. I’m excited to see new designers come out with interesting new shapes and forms that will keep me on my toes as I continue to learn and grow in the field of design.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Aside from the beach, I love the people of San Diego! In general, I feel like mostly everyone is very friendly and conscious of their surroundings. I love that everyone lives a pretty active life. Everywhere you go, there are people out, which makes the city feel really lively. We also have great places for food and drinks, a lot of little hidden gems around different neighborhoods. You just never really know where you’re going to end up or what to expect, which I love! It’s hard to pinpoint something I dislike about our city. We have some really great things to offer that it’s almost impossible to be upset over one thing. I think in general, I’d like to see the city prioritize more resources for the homeless community and offer appropriate help to those in need.
Moving to San Diego was a shot in the dark for me. There’s a sense of serenity in our city, and everyone seems to be working on self-growth, on learning new hobbies, and it’s something that I find very inspiring. It’s really encouraging to see it around me, and it has helped me find new objects to incorporate into my work. I love this city deeply, and as a self-proclaimed San Diegan, I hope our city forever keeps its charm as it continues to grow and us with it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aqua.caliente/
