Patricia Velásquez

Creativity goes beyond film, photographs, and canvas. It also acts as the catalyst for philanthropy, charity and activism. Award-winning actress, a history-making supermodel, staunch philanthropist, conscientious activist as well as a writer and loved mom Patricia Velasquez applies an eternal creative spirit to everything she does, whether it's starring in blockbusters like The Curse of La Llorona or launching the Wayuu Taya Foundation and participating on the UNESCO Board. Regardless, she makes major strides by drawing on instinct and deliberately paving her own way. "I see my work as a long staircase," she says. "I took every step. It was incredible to achieve this because it was a lot of perseverance. I never stopped moving, I just kept my head in the air. The metaphor is an evocation of a formative experience. Born in Venezuela but was raised in France and Mexico and then moved to Venezuela after just a few years. Her parents, who worked as educators in South America, moved her family into a cramped, cramped residence without running water or elevators. In order to supply water for the unit, Patricia often carried heavy buckets up 15 flights of stairs. Between her dance and engineering training, she tried to help the family in any way she could. The commitment she made to her family was the crucial factor in her rise to the top of the fashion world, saw her sought-after to model in Milan. She relates that she was required to travel to Italy to model for the fashion industry. "If I could just send thirty dollars a month back to Venezuela the cost would be worthwhile because it will cover all the water used in the structure." Patricia's accomplishment was the turning point in fashion as she was the first to draw the attention of fashion's industry to South America. Her "first model Karl Lagerfeld photographed" was an incredible breakthrough. She went on to be featured in shows, front editorial spreads, as well as in advertisements for Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Fendi. The model was also featured in Oprah's "Supermodel of the World Contest" by Ford Models. She also appeared on the cover of Marie Claire, Bazaar and Vogue.