When fashion designer and content creator Tamy Idrobo was growing up in Cali, Colombia, she was inspired by the style of her grandmother and found used clothing to make her own creations. This also began her deep passion for upcycled fashion. After later moving to the U.S., her first job was far from the fashion dreams she envisioned for herself, but working part-time at McDonald’s instilled in Tamy some important life lessons that she carries with her in her career today.
Now that she is established in her design career having working with notable brands and personalities, including urban singer Feid, Valeria Sandoval and TV host Clarissa Molina, Tamy is reaching a hand back into her community to mentor others and help the next generation of creatives as they begin their own journey in fashion.
She has been a guest speaker at several universities, inspiring new generations of creatives to see fashion as a space for reinvention, identity and consciousness.
In early January, her experience working at McDonalds years ago came full circle as Tamy was tapped to be part of a new 4-part Youtube series called “Arches & Ambition: The 1 in 8 Mentorship Program”, celebrating the 1 in 8 Americans who work there.
The series pairs current employees with alumni to showcase how skills learned under the Golden Arches, like teamwork and leadership, launch careers in food, fashion, and technology.
In her featured episode, Tamy mentored crew member and aspiring actress Maria Perez during a styling session, and reflected on how her time at McDonald’s helped her carve a path in the U.S. fashion world. As a Latina who has a passion for mentoring youth from her community, this was Tamy’s opportunity to bring together both her worlds.
We had the opportunity to chat with Tamy further about her career, why mentorship matters, and what she is most proud of. You can also watch her ‘Arches and Ambitions’ episode below!
Where did your love of fashion and design come from? Who inspired you growing up?
My love for fashion started at home with my grandmother. She’s a fashion designer, so I grew up surrounded by sewing machines, fabrics, and patterns. Watching her create helped me see fashion not just as clothing, but as a form of storytelling and self-expression.
Another important part of my work is upcycling. Growing up in Colombia, I didn’t always have the means to buy trendy new clothes, so I learned how to upcycle, experiment, and create something unique with what I had. That process of transforming and reimagining pieces is what truly shaped my design voice and inspired me to pursue fashion with purpose.
Coming from Colombia, how has your heritage informed and inspired your designs today?
My heritage is at the core of everything I create. The energy, the color, the sabor (flavor), and the expressive way Colombians move through the world are strongly reflected in my designs.
Even though I live in the US now, my fashion reflects my Colombian roots and the place where I am today. That’s what makes my work authentic and deeply personal.
You worked at McDonald’s as an early job, and today you are a mentor and inspiration for up-and-coming designers who currently work at McDonald’s for the Arches and Ambition series. How did you get involved in this?
McDonald’s was my first job when I arrived in the United States, and it became an essential part of my journey. It’s where I developed strong leadership skills as a manager, learned how to connect with people, and gained the ability to multitask and perform under pressure in fast-paced environments.
In addition, I continued creating, designing, and sharing my work on social media while working there. I was very consistent and intentional about showing my design process along with other fun moments, and over time that authenticity began to resonate with a growing audience. That visibility is what ultimately led to the opportunity to be part of Arches and Ambition.
What did it feel like to come full circle as a former employee and now a mentor, showing what is possible to others?
It’s incredibly emotional for me. Coming full circle reminds me that every step mattered, even the moments that felt uncertain. Being able to stand where I once stood and now say, “It’s possible,” is very powerful. I hope my journey gives others faith in their dreams and the courage to keep going.
What have been your biggest struggles in your career either as a young woman or Latina, especially in an industry that has a lot of problematic history with diversity?
I wasn’t getting paid what my work was worth, but ultimately, that was on me. I didn’t fully believe in my value enough to charge clients for the time, experience, and costs that went into creating my work. As a woman, I also felt I had to push myself even harder to defend my creativity and expertise in an industry that’s so large and complex.
Why is it important to you to uplift the next generation of creatives in the fashion world?
One of the things that worries me most about the fashion industry is its impact on the environment. That’s why uplifting talent that’s environmentally conscious is so important. I feel that it’ll help move fashion into a new phase that celebrates individuality while also protecting our planet.
What are your favorite designs that you have created, and what are you most proud of in your career so far?
I think the looks I created for Feid and Clarissa Molina (who also worked at McDonald’s and is part of this amazing 1 in 8 network) are both my favorite designs and the ones I’m most proud of. Seeing such incredible stars wear my work, and openly praise it, reassures me that I’m moving in the right direction.
Can you tell us about some fashion trends that are getting you excited and where the industry is heading this year?
I’d say big, bold accessories and statement pieces are a huge part of the trend cycle this year, along with nostalgia and upcycling. The funny thing is, those elements have always been a big part of my personal style, so it’s exciting to see them have a moment. I’m curious to see what sticks, and hopefully it encourages more people to experiment and have fun with their own style.
We often see the phrase “I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams” from many creators of color. If you were to apply this to your life, what do you think your ancestors (and family!) would be in awe of about what you are building today?
I feel deeply grateful to be pursuing the dreams my grandma once had as a designer, and to do it for both of us. Through her guidance and the values she instilled in me, I get to carry her vision forward.
You can watch all episodes of ‘Arches and Ambitions’ on Youtube. Visit Tamy’s website to see more of her work, and follow her on Instagram, and TikTok, and subscribe to her Youtube Channel.
