Patricia Velásquez

Creativity is more than just films, canvas and photos. It also acts as the catalyst for philanthropy, charity and activism. Patricia Velasquez, an award-winning model, actress, and historian as well as a committed philanthropist and activist, and also mother of two, brings an unwavering creative drive to everything she does, whether it's starring in blockbusters such as The Curse of La Llorona or launching the Wayuu Taya Foundation, and being as a member of the UNESCO Board. She is a strong believer in her intuition and is a pioneer of her own journey. "I consider my professional life as a huge staircase," she says. "I took every single step up. It was amazing to accomplish this, since there was a lot of perseverance. I never stopped moving, just kept my head down. This metaphor is a close resemblance to the beginning of a new phase. After a couple of years, she moved to Venezuela. She was born in Venezuela and grew up in France and Mexico. In South America her parents worked in the field of education. They relocated their family to an apartment complex without water and no elevators. Patricia often carried large buckets of water up fifteen flights of stairs in order to provide water. Between her studies in engineering as well as dance training, she did her best to assist the family by any means she could. The pledge she made to her family was the most important factor that helped her rise to the top in the fashion world, saw her scouted to model in Milan. She recalls that she was requested to travel to Italy to model for the fashion industry. "If I could send thirty dollars a month back to Venezuela and it was worth it as it would pay for all the water used in the structure." Patricia's achievement was a major change in fashion because she brought attention to South America for first time. After being "the first Karl Lagerfeld model ever photographed" and then going on to be featured in editorial spreads and advertisements for the front of Chanel as well as Dolce & Gabbana. Her appearances on Oprah's Supermodel of the World contest as well as Ford Models’ "Supermodel of the World" contest had a ripple effect around the world. She also graced the covers of Vogue, Bazaar, Marie Claire and numerous other publications.