Patricia Velásquez

Creativity extends beyond canvas, photos, film and other media. It can also be an inspiration for charity and philanthropy and activism. Patricia Velasquez, an award-winning model, actor as well as a committed philanthropist and activist as well as a mother who is devoted to her children, brings an insatiable creative energy to all her endeavors whether it's in blockbusters like The Curse of La Llorona or launching Wayuu Taya Foundation, and being on the UNESCO Board. She believes in her intuition and is a pioneer of her own path. "I consider my professional life as a long staircase," she says. "I have taken every step. It was remarkable to do this, since there has been longevity. I wasn't able to stop moving. just kept my head down. This analogy is reminiscent of the first experience of forming. The author was born in Venezuela but was raised in France and Mexico and then moved to Venezuela after a couple of years. Her parents, who were employed as teachers in South America, moved her family to a cramped apartment that was without water and elevators. Patricia often carried heavy buckets of water for 15 flights of stairs in order to supply water. She tried to assist her family as much as she could, despite studying engineering as well as pursuing a dance education. Her promise to her family members, which was the crucial factor in her rise to the top in the fashion industry, led to her being scouted for modeling in Milan. She recalls being invited to visit Italy by the fashion industry. "If I could send thirty dollars per month back to Venezuela and it was worth it since that would be enough to cover the cost of all the water used in the structure." Patricia's triumph was the beginning of a new era in fashion as she attracted the attention of fashion industry professionals to South America for the first time. In the wake of 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. With her worldwide fame, she appeared in Oprah as well as Ford Models' "Supermodel of the World" contests as well. She was also featured on the covers of Marie Claire, Bazaar and Vogue.