Patricia Velásquez

Creativity goes beyond films, canvas and photos. It could also serve as the catalyst for philanthropy and charity as well as activism. Supermodel, award-winning actress and philanthropist who is a staunch supporter, conscientious activist author, loving mom Patricia Velasquez applies an eternal inventive spirit to all she does. It could be acting in blockbusters a la 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 carefully paving her personal way. "I consider my professional life as an endless staircase," she said. "I completed every step. It was incredible to accomplish that, as it was an ongoing process. I was never able to stop moving, just kept my head down. This analogy is reminiscent of an experience that was a formative one. The author was born in Venezuela but educated in France and Mexico, she relocated to Venezuela after a handful of years. In South America her parents worked in the field of education. They relocated their family into an apartment building that was without water and had no elevators. Patricia carried 15 staircases up using heavy buckets to provide water to the area. She tried to assist her family as much as she could despite pursuing engineering and intense dance classes. Being scouted for modeling in Milan, the multi-talented model's rise to the heights of the fashion world hinged on a promise to those she loved. She remembers telling her, "When they asked me if I wanted to go to Italy and I said, 'If you can send thirty bucks a month back home to Venezuela, it will be worthwhile, as that will cover the whole cost of the water used in the building's." Patricia's success represented an important moment in fashion as she attracted media attention to South America for the first time. Following her becoming "the first Karl Lagerfeld model ever photographed" after which she proceeded to be featured in editorial spreads as well as advertisements for the front of Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana. Her appearances on Oprah's Supermodel of the World contest and Ford Models’ "Supermodel of the World" contest was a huge hit across the globe. Also she appeared on the covers of Vogue, Bazaar, Marie Claire and many more.