Selena Quintanilla Perez: The Queen of Tejano music

Selena Quintanilla, commonly called “the Queen of Tejano Music,” died 29 years ago on March 31st, 1995.

However, El Pasoans are still feeling the impact of the late singer’s career.

They celebrated the singer on the anniversary of her death, Sunday, at the Selena Forever Exhibit at the El Paso Museum of Art.

The exhibit features select photos of the singer and outfits worn by Quintanilla during her career.

Get ready, Selena fans: New music from the queen of Tejano is coming

Quintanilla started singing with her family as a member of the band Selena y Los Dinos, she was the youngest member.

But eventually became known just by her first name “Selena.”

She won multiple music awards including nine consecutive titles as Female Artist of the Year at the Tejano Music Awards and two Grammys.

The singer was only 23 years old when she was murdered by the president of her fan club, Yolanda Saldivar, at a La Quinta Inn in Corpus Christi, TX.

Her contributions to music and fashion made her one of the most celebrated Mexican-American entertainers of the late 20th century.

Selena Quintanilla through the years

Her story has been the subject of multiple film and television adaptations including the film that helped launch Jennifer Lopez’s career.

The iconic Bell bottom jumpsuit she wore at the Houston Astrodome has been replicated by celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Demi Lovato, and many more.

She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017.

The Enduring Style Influence of Selena

It’s odd to think that 29 years have passed since Selena tragically passed away. Dotting Instagram timelines and splashed across mood boards, the stunning Tejano singer remains a constant inspiration to women of varying ages, races, and ethnicities who are enamored not only with her infectious and chart-topping songs (Selena’s 1994 album, Amor Prohibido, remains the best-selling Tejano album of all time), but her showstopping ’90s style.

Dubbed the “Mexican Madonna” (despite being a native of Corpus Christi, Texas), Selena’s onstage costumes were a scintillating collision of Spanish inflections and modern trends. Bedazzled bralettes and crop tops became the “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” singer’s calling card, the barely there style shimmering underneath bolero jackets. She cinched in high-waisted, curve-hugging black denim with brassy Western belt buckles, while slipping shrunken leather vests over flouncy poet blouses—a look that wouldn’t be out of place on Rodarte’s Fall runway.

A Tribute to the Queen of Tejano Music: Ricky Persaud, Jr.'s Song 'Selena'  Seeks Grammy Award Consideration – Tejano Nation

Spinning about in embellished bell-bottoms, two-stepping in silver boots, and belting out her chart-topping tunes with that signature red pout, Selena dazzled her adoring audience at every turn—and she designed all her costumes herself.

It was no surprise, then, that the stylish star even opened two successful Texas boutiques—predating the trend of musicians turned designers by a good quarter century—along with full-service salons. Now that the singer’s MAC x Selena commemorative makeup line is set to launch this weekend, her fans will have another chance to scoop up Selena-inspired products: The company has designed three lipsticks, five eyeshadows, a blush, and a bronzer, all destined to keep her style living on even longer.