Patricia Velásquez

Creativity extends beyond the photo, canvas or films, and into the media. It also serves as an inspiration for philanthropy, charity, and activism. Patricia Velasquez is an award-winning supermodel, actress, and actor. Also, she is a dedicated patron of charity. Author activist, author, and loving mom. Regardless, she makes major steps by drawing upon her instincts and consciously paving her own pathway. "I think of my career as a long staircase," she says. "I have made every step. It was amazing to be able to do so, since there was a long-term effect. I wasn't able to stop moving. just kept my head down. The metaphor is very similar to the experience of forming. The author was born in Venezuela but raised in France and Mexico and then moved to Venezuela after just a few years. In South America her parents worked in education. They relocated their family into an apartment building with no water and inoperable elevators. Patricia frequently carried buckets of water up fifteen steps to supply water. Between her engineering studies and dance training, Patricia did her best to assist the family in any way she could. The opportunity to model was offered to her in Milan, the multi-talented model's rise to the heights of the fashion world hinged on a promise made to the people she loved. She relates, "When they asked me to go to Italy, I said"If I can send 30 dollars per month back to Venezuela the cost is worth it as it will be enough to cover the whole building's water'." Patricia's achievement was a major turning point in fashion, because she brought attention to South America for first time. After becoming "the first Karl Lagerfeld model ever photographed", she went on to be featured in editorial spreads as well as front ads for Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana. The world was abuzz with her presence, she was featured on Oprah as well as Ford Models' "Supermodel of the World" contests as well. She also graced the covers of Vogue, Bazaar, Marie Claire and a host of other magazines.