Patricia Velásquez

Creativity isn't limited to the photo, canvas or film, as well as the media. It also acts as a catalyst for philanthropy, charity and activism. Supermodel, award-winning actress, staunch philanthropist, conscientious activist, author, and loving mother Patricia Velasquez applies an eternal imaginative spirit to everything she does, whether it's starring in blockbuster movies like The Curse of La Llorona or launching the Wayuu Taya Foundation and participating in the UNESCO Board. Regardless, she makes major advancements through drawing on her intuition and consciously paving her own route. "I think of my career as the length of a staircase," she said. "I have been through every step. It was incredible to do this, since there is a sense of determination. I simply put my head down , and took one step at a time. Then, it was done. This metaphor is a close resemblance to an event that was a turning point. The author was born in Venezuela but educated in France and Mexico and then moved to Venezuela after a few years. In South America her parents worked in the field of education. They relocated their family to an apartment complex that was without water and had no elevators. Patricia took fifteen flights of stairs up with heavy buckets to provide water to the area. She tried to help her family as much as she could despite pursuing engineering and intense dance classes. She was sought out to be a model in Milan and her rise to the heights of fashion was contingent on a promise to her family and friends. She recalls being required to travel to Italy to model for the fashion industry. "If I could just send thirty dollars per month back to Venezuela that would be worth it because that will provide all the water in the building." Patricia's success was an important moment in fashion when she brought the attention of the industry to South America. After becoming "the first Karl Lagerfeld model ever photographed", she went on to feature in editorial spreads and advertisements for the front of Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana. Her appearances on Oprah's Supermodel of the World contest as well as Ford Models’ "Supermodel of the World" contest were a hit around the world. Also, she graced the covers of Vogue, Bazaar, Marie Claire and many more.