Houston-based image consultant and life coach, Maria Cummings, is trained throughout the world and shares her practical knowledge to help refine your sense of style.

For over 35 years, she has created custom clothing for clients in Houston and abroad. In the last 20 years, she has taught women and men how altering what they already own as well as purchasing new items will achieve the same distinguished look.

Image consulting starts on the inside

In addition to life coaching and image consulting, Maria is a professional organizer, with a specialty in closets. Combining this with her personal shopping services, custom designed jewelry, alterations and repairs – Maria is the only professional in the state of Texas that will be with you EVERY step of the way to hold your hand, and teach you all that she knows.

Maria’s client base is extensive and stable, many of whom are quite prominent in the community. She has worked many years in all aspects of the garment and fashion industries, and has a natural talent for dressing individual people in a manner that flatters their attributes while disguising their perceived imperfections.

When you call, Maria answers! Maria will personally meet with you to understand your needs and to help you feel more comfortable with your individual transformation. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact her at 713.502.4106 or email maria@transformationsbymaria.com.

“I teach my clients how to shop, what to alter, and what styles to wear in order to look and feel good. Many of my clients are on diet programs, and they come to me for alterations and to learn how to dress their new body. The time I spent nursing the elderly taught me to be a quick and fair judge of character and personality, which is critical to the success of my counseling.

“What I offer is style and image consulting in the true sense of the word. This is not Color-Me-Beautiful, it is not computerized and it is not superficial. I strive to develop a personal bond with each of my clients in order to understand and strengthen the image that they have of themselves. Frequently, even a simple alteration consult has real therapeutic value to my clients.”

About Maria

Maria’s journey into fashion began in the 7th grade when “nothing fit right.” Met by opposition and ridicule, she persevered and found her avenue to touch the world.

In 1982, Maria and her husband moved to Houston, and soon she was doing alterations and custom clothing from her home. Through referrals, her business grew and she eventually opened a very successful studio in Rice Village, where she remained for many years. Her expanding clientele branched into costumes for theater and opera, displays for prominent fabric store owners, and evening gowns for beauty pageant contestants.

With needle and thread in hand, she would sew a hem, recreate custom evening wear and day wear from a photograph, bead and fit prom dresses and she even worked with museums to restore Aboriginal works of art. Maria has been a judge in the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) and AIFA programs, as well as numerous beauty pageants. She has given life coaching and image consulting seminars in the corporate arena, weight-loss clinics, paralegal schools, and in the homes of individual clients.


Awards and Accolades

Designers In the Fight For AIDS: Collaborated in the creation of a piece of clothing as a fundraiser.

Ambassador Club: Designed and produced all the sashes for the women of the year.

Recipient of a Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Volunteer Service in Public Schools from Houston Independent School District.

Recipient of a Certificate of Appreciation for her work with the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Program.

Miss Metroplex, Miss USA, Miss America, and more: Wardrobe consulting, coaching, and judging for pageants.