Selena Quintanilla is one of the most popular singers in the entire world. Dubbed by millions as the “Queen of Tejano Music”, Selena was born in April 1971. She was an American singer and songwriter that also worked many other professions during her short yet illustrious career. Outside of music, Selena Quintanilla-Perez Was also an actress, businesswoman, fashion designer, model, and spokesperson. She debuted on the music scene just when she was ten years old.
Over the course of her short and fantabulous career has released many best-selling recordings and has contributed to both music and fashion, which is why she’s considered one of the most celebrated Mexican-American entertainers of the century. She’s also broken barriers and is credited for helping redefine Latin music, especially its well-known subgenres Cumbia, Latin pop, and Tejano. Even before the news of her death shocked the world, at the peak of her career, Selena became a very influential celebrity. She had a very specific “cult-like” following amongst the Hispanics and, besides many awards and praise from critics and fans, her success also helped her land.
Selena's career
Selena’s career in music started in the early 80s
, specifically in 1981, when she was just ten years old. She joined the band “Selena y Los Dinos,” where she spent several years until she gained attention and experience. Nine years later, in 1990, Selena signed a recording deal with EMI Latin and released her self-titled debut studio album. She continued to outsell other (competing) female Tejano artists with her sophomore album “Ves Conmigo.” Her breakthrough album was released in 1992 – “Entre a Mi Mundo.” The studio project helped launch her career in Mexico and Latin America, as it also became the first Tejano recording by a female artist to sell more than 300,000 copies.
In 1993, she released her first and only live album that earned her first Grammy Award. In the next two years, she released her final two albums – “Amor Prohibido” and “Dreaming of You.” The former was considered her “biggest album” as it popularised the Tejano genre among a wider and younger audience than any other time in its history. In March 1995, she was shot dead by her friend and former employee, Yolanda Saldivar, over some disputed embezzlement claims. Her last album, “Dreaming of You,” was published in July that year. It sold millions of copies in its first month and became the first and only predominantly Spanish-speaking album to not only debut but also peak at the number one position on the US Billboard 200 chart.
Selena's music (in the 80s and 90s)
Selena’s music recordings in the 80s and 90s dominated multiple international charts and are the reason why she became such a mainstream pop superstar. Just when her shocking death took part, in 1995, her career took a huge turn. Her last recorded studio album, “Dreaming of You,” became a chart-topper and a best-seller. It sold more than 5 million copies by the mid-2010s and played an important role in the music career of Selena.
With that release alone, she not only became the fastest-selling female artist in music history but also one of the most important acts during the 80s and 90s and the booming rock and roll music from these two decades. Ever since her death, there have been over twenty-three posthumous releases. The most recent is “Lo Mejor de Selena,” which came out in March 2015 on the date that marked the twentieth anniversary of the singer’s death.
Selena fashion line
Everyone familiar with Selena and her personal and professional career knows she’s a true fashion queen. Aside from music, she began working on her clothes. She designed and manufactured a clothing line before eventually opening two boutiques titled “Selena Inc”, based in San Antonio and Corpus Christi. She was able to flourish with ease in fashion, just like she did in music. With that being said,
Here are some of Selena’s outfits in the 80s and 90s:
Black Bustier and Ornate Gold
The iconic fashionista was a huge fan of bustiers. What makes them so intriguing is that she bought most of them from luxurious brands such as Victoria’s Secret and then personally decorated them with crystals, fringe, and pearls, among other decorations.
90s Platform Sneakers and Navy Stripers
Another popular outfit of Selena’s is the navy stripes and 90s platform sneakers combination. She wore these outfits both on and off stage. They can give us a glimpse of her fabulous outfits and everyday life. To complete this look, she often added hoops and a silver bag.
Selena Quintanilla love of peals.
Another Selena specialty is wearing many pearls. Her style included a lot of customized accessories that she changed herself. She used items like sequins, trims, pearls, and rhinestones that she added on top of each other. These are best suitable with large hoops, sleeveless collared shirt.
Black leather corset
Apart from the bustiers, Selena also appreciated the mega stripes and rocked them many times. She usually combined a black or red leather corset-style on top with black leather pants. Among some of the most notable Selena outfits and looks from both the 80s and 90s included black and leopard print, checkered motor jacket, hot pink bustier, and white T-shirt and overalls to name a few.
Selena's hairstyles (from the 80s and 90s)
Two more things that Selena’s popular for are her diverse and eye-catching hairstyles plus her overall look. From classic updo, messy bun, half-up ponytail, and hair bands, the “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” singer did everything possible with her black hair. The classic hair bun as seen in her movie has been inspiring many wedding hairstyles. It was also the classic hairdo that she used for her “No Me Queda Was” music video.
Besides leaving her hair remain (naturally) straightened, Selena also had hairbands for most of her time. She took mainstream media recognition and used the hair buns style to create and produce her own debut label.
