As neighborhood sidewalks filled with tiny superheroes, Disney princesses, ghouls, and pirates carrying a bucket of overflowing candy, Teresa Chumpitaz became The Princess and the Pea, but not because that’s what her mother brought her from a store, but because her mother used fabric, threads, and determination to turn the fairytale into life. She grew up in Queens after her family immigrated from Peru, and she’d watch her mother use fabrics, colorful threads, and imagination unfold inside a small walk-in closet that was her mom’s sewing room. By day, her mother worked in a Manhattan garment factory, but the steady hum of a sewing machine filled their home as she crafted everything from dresses to elaborate costumes.
“Our mom prepared our costumes,” said Chumpitaz. “She always made us feel special through our clothes. But she was preparing me for a world that’d inspire me to make a difference in the fashion world.”
Teresa Chumpitaz’s story begins thousands of miles away from the fashion world she would eventually enter. Born in Peru, she immigrated to the United States with her family at just three years old. Like many immigrant families, they built their future through hard work, sacrifice, and determination, even with limited resources. This made Teresa Chumpitaz appreciate perseverance and creativity, which would shape her career in fashion and her entrepreneurial journey.
Even though things started out small, the experience gave her a lasting belief that you can create something meaningful from almost nothing with enough effort.
“For me, it was always about making people feel beautiful,” said Chumpitaz. “Giving people confidence, and I always knew that I just wanted to help people with my hands.”
Fashion became a career for her that spans more than 20 years. She worked for major retailers including Saks Fifth Avenue, H&M, and J.Crew, where she started by dressing mannequins at Saks before rising to assistant manager. She also spent time on Wall Street, where she saw how fashion and success often went hand in hand. However, a pivotal moment came when her fashion design teacher assigned her class to style a magazine editorial.
“I knew I could put outfits together like nobody’s business,” said Chumpitaz. “That assignment was fun, and she opened my mind to thinking I can do this.”
In 2013, she launched POWERStylings, beginning her work styling men on Wall Street. What started with corporate clients then expanded into styling for men across industries, including celebrity and independent artists. Over time, she built POWERStylings into a platform rooted in confidence, versatility, and the belief that fashion is a tool for transformation in every space—from boardrooms to stages.
POWERStylings, a Miami-based fashion and image consulting brand, serves private clients, professionals, and public figures with a refined approach to personal style. Her brand is dedicated to elevating how clients show up and feel in the world. Through her vision, she is helping them develop a clear, confident, and intentional fashion voice that reflects their identity and also, where they’re going. At the helm, Teresa Chumpitaz brings over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry, blending merchandising, styling, branding, and fashion forecasting with a sharp editorial eye.
“I’m inspired by a lot of things,” said Chumpitaz. “Even the way cream stirs into coffee because it’s like a dance, and fashion is like a dance. The way it swirls and makes magic in a cup. For me, it’s about seeing that person and making a dance of how they want to be seen, who they are, and how they can level up and how I can help them with creativity, strategy, and self-expression.”
Her creative portfolio also includes published editorial features in magazines such as SDMag, Vixen, Elements, and American Salon, along with experience styling for commercials and music videos. Known for her refined eye and polished aesthetic, she has worked closely with luxury fashion houses like Brunello Cucinelli.
A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, the now-based in Miami designer is deeply committed to helping clients build confidence through style. She’s using fashion as a tool for self-expression, presence, and empowerment in every space they enter.
“I went back to school after a divorce,” said Chumpitaz. “But I wasn’t going to just lie in bed and do nothing. I was intentional then and intentional now with every design and step. It was a tough kick in the pants, but I’m still going to be the best person I can be, especially for my children.”
This dedication recently led to her fashion and creative expression earning her the prestigious Ruben and Isabel Toledo Award. This recognition inspires her to push forward, evolve, and inspire others through her work.
It all comes full circle, when Halloween costumes emerged from a small walk-in closet. The little girl who once watched her mother transform ordinary materials into fairy-tale characters is now creating her own stories in the world of fashion. Teresa Chumpitaz is proof that sometimes the most magical costumes don’t just last one night, but they can inspire a lifetime.
“I want people to feel powerful,” said Chumpitaz, “I want people to feel seen, and continue to work hard to showcase the very best of people.”
Pictures credit: @oneshotmiami
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