By Denise Nash
Jill Martin set strict goals for herself, and her dreams are becoming a reality after meeting those goals.
Martin graduated from Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK High School in 1994 and continued her education at the University of Michigan where she majored in communications and received a Bachelor of Arts degree. She landed a job on the The Maury Povich Show, where she worked on-air doing fashion reporting and makeovers.
From there, her career took her to Miami where she worked for the NBA team the Miami Heat, as well as other television shows. Although she loved Miami, she knew her roots were in New York.
Martin moved back to New York City and is currently working for the New York Knicks doing interviews during pre-game, halftime and post game. She interviews celebrities and hosts the segment entitled “Gimme a Minute,” where she asks rapid-fire interview questions.
Martin can also be seen regularly on NBC’s Today show highlighting trends and must-haves, and is well-known for the popular “Ambush Makeover” segments. She is also an US Weekly contributor as well as holding many other titles.
Martin, the fashion expert and three-time Emmy-nominated television personality, took her fashion knowledge and recently started two other projects. She is developing her own clothing line called Either/Or and just finished her book Fashion For Dummies, which was released earlier this week.
Martin and co-author Pierre Lehu help readers build a stylish and functional wardrobe suitable for every occasion. Whether it’s a holiday-chic cocktail party, an 11 a.m. wedding in February or just everyday business casual, Martin has you covered.
Part reference, part tutorial, the book offers advice on finding clothes that work with your body type and personal style, as well as practical tips on garment construction and navigating the worlds of color, pattern and texture.
In tough financial times, it’s easy to shy away from spending money on clothes – especially designer clothes. Fashion For Dummies shows you how to put together a high-quality wardrobe without breaking the bank. Shoes, jewelry, and other accessories are given ample coverage, and there’s even a section dedicated to menswear with discussion of basic cuts and styles. Martin’s friendly guidance and professional tips will sharpen your shopping skills and show you how to buy clothing that will look great for years to come.
“With the economy the way it is, I feel that people need to shop in their closets,” said Martin. “You can keep up with trends and not break the bank to do it.”
The book is packed with photos and illustrations and also includes top ten lists such as “Ten Faux Pas and How to Avoid Them,” and a list 10 great fashion websites. There are also some words of fashion wisdom from top designers and celebrities such as Betsey Johnson, Tory Burch, Cynthia Rowley and Tyson Beckford.
Martin was president of her class during all four years at Plainview Old Bethpage High School and was responsible for getting the high school together and merging the community on a student level. She also played varsity basketball for Plainview.
“I feel the leadership skills that I learned in Plainview really helped me, especially with learning organization skills,” said Martin. “So many aspects of my high school life contributed to my success now.”
The book is available at all major retailers including Amazon.com, Barnesandnobel.com and JillMartin.com.
