Actress Patricia Velasquez photo by Jenny Woodman, Styling by Juan Manuel Campusano, makeup by David Deibis

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Global Woman of Style: Patricia Velasquez

In the fashion industry, or any business industry for that matter, most of us tend to look up to the leaders that truly had to work hard for their success. Patricia Velasquez is that kind of an icon.

Patricia’s life was anything but glamorous growing up as one of six children in Venezuela, but this South American native somehow always knew that she was destined for a life in the spotlight. Leaving her country at a young age to pursue a modeling career was the first step towards a career in fashion and entertainment.

By the late 1990’s, the beautiful Latina was strutting down runways modeling designs by Antonio Berardi, Bella Freud, Corinne Cobson, Claude Montana, Jean Paul Gaultier, Salvatore Ferragamo, Dolce & Gabbana, and Owen Gaster.

For more than a decade, the modest celebrity has been winning the hearts of millions of fans as she has appeared in the pages of some of the world’s most prestigious fashion magazines (even the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition), while taking it up a notch, snagging some coveted film roles during her career.

Starring in 10 films including, The Mummy Returns, Committed with Heather Graham and recently Mindhunters with Val Kilmer and Christian Slater, this star is on her way to Hollywood’s elite. This past year alone she has appeared on TV shows including, Arrested Development and the hit show CSI Miami. Most people know Patricia for her role in The Mummy, but it’s only a glimpse of this well-rounded beauty from Venezuela.

Although Patricia enjoys her glitzy lifestyle, she will never forget where she came from, which is why she supports several causes such as the advancement of Hispanics, fair treatment of indigenous peoples, and the fight against pediatric AIDS to influence the lives of others that are less fortunate than she is today.

FACTIO MAGAZINE: Give us an inside look into your career as an actress and supermodel.
PATRICIA VELASQUEZ: Depending on the day, it’s always different. Some days are dedicated to my foundation, www.wayuutaya.org which takes a lot of work from me as well. That’s what I like about my career, that it changes everyday.

FM: Describe your signature style.
PV: I like being comfortable. Everything I buy or wear has to be comfortable. I believe that when I’m comfortable, I can be myself.

FM: What are your favorite shops worldwide?
PV: William Sonoma, supermarkets, Bed Bath and Beyond and Carlos Miele in NY.

FM: Where are some of your favorite places to travel and what do you always pick up for your wardrobe?
PV: I love traveling to Morocco, Mexico, Margarita Island in Venezuela, Los Roques in Venezuela and Madrid. I pick things that I can use several times and that are comfortable!

FM: What are you always on the hunt for?
PV: Fun, culture, different things, great food, great world music, people.

FM: What are some of the designer staples we’d find in your closet?
PV: You’d find Carlos Miele (Brazilian designer), Isaac Mizrahi, Duran y Diego, Karl Lagerfeld, Miguelina and Alvin Valley.

FM: What women and men (from which city worldwide) have great style and why? 
PV: Buenos Aires, Argentina – they are used to what they have and they make it look very chic. New York for the combination of urban and roots, Chicago is also very chic and London – very funky, but good.

FM: Do you think money and style go hand in hand or can style never be bought? Is it something you just have?
PV: Style doesn’t need money. People can make anything look great – it’s about the person.

FM: What does global style mean to you
PV: People worldwide... on the search for style.

FM: What would people be most surprised to know about you?
PV: That I’m a very calm person.

FM: Did you know when you started in the entertainment industry that you would rise to the success that you have?
PV: I knew I was going to do something different, but not like this.

FM: What tips would you give women and men in general to be well rounded, balancing out life and business?
PV: We should not focus on the success of other people. We need to identify our true path. When something doesn’t feel ok, it’s because it’s not. We should not feel afraid to ask the universe for things. We should really believe in ourselves time after time because eventually we will get where we want to go as long as our intentions are good. We should not try to find happiness in other people and also don’t try to imitate the life of other people. Each one of us has a different journey.

FM: What do you see yourself doing in five years?
PV: I hope my foundation is very big then. I hope to have a family and I hope to continue to work close to the one's that are close to my heart.

Credit: Patricia Velasquez Intro by Danielle Vega, Interview by Melissa Maynard, both for Factio-magazine.com.