Patricia Velásquez

 The creative process extends beyond the photo, canvas or films, and into the media. It is also an inspiration to philanthropy and charity as well as activism. Patricia Velasquez, an award-winning actress, history-making model who is a tireless philanthropist as well as an activist as well as a mother who is devoted to her children, brings a constant creative spirit in everything she does whether it's in blockbusters like The Curse of La Llorona or launching Wayuu Taya Foundation, and serving on the UNESCO Board. She is a natural and creates her own path and is making huge strides. "I think of my career as a long staircase," she says. "I have taken every step. It was incredible to achieve this because it is a sense of determination. I never stopped moving, just sat with my head down. The analogy is directly related to an experience that is 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 the field of education. They moved their family into an apartment with no water and inoperable elevators. Patricia often carried large buckets of water over 15 steps to provide water. In between studying engineering and intense dance lessons she tried to assist the family however possible. The pledge she made to her family members, which was the most important factor that helped her rise to the top of the fashion industry, led to her being scouted for modeling in Milan. She recalled, "When they asked me whether I wanted to travel to Italy and I said"If you could send thirty bucks per month back home to Venezuela and it's worthwhile, as that will pay for the entire cost of water for the building's construction'." Patricia's success represented a turning point in fashion as she attracted the attention of fashion industry professionals to South America for the first time. She experienced a big break upon becoming "the first model Karl Lagerfeld ever photographed" and later, she walked in shows, be a part of editorial spreads and advertisements for front pages of Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Chloe, Cover Girl, and Victoria's Secret just to mention some. Her appearances in Oprah's Supermodel of the World contest as well as Ford Models’ "Supermodel of the World" contest had a ripple effect across the globe. She was also featured on the covers of Marie Claire, Bazaar and Vogue.