Inspiring us with her life lessons and utterly gorgeous fashion sense, our model for the August edition, Valeria Tamayo is here to encourage you to fetch your dreams and make them happen. Take a look at the exclusive conversation we had with her.
Team Credits:
Model: Valeria Tamayo @valevalenciat
Photographer: Rene Hernández @renehrnandez
Makeup: Mariely Resende @marielyresende
PR: Say Media @Say__media
Hi Valeria. How long have you been modelling? Tell us about yourself.
I have had a very interesting life. I was born in Colombia but I grew up in many different places including Virginia, Florida, Canada and Colombia. Thanks to this, I have been able to get to know different cultures and people. I come from entrepreneurial parents and both of them are very artistic. My father is a musician and owns several companies and my mother is a model and manages the family business in the health sector. Seeing the example of both being so successful and doing hand in hand with what they love, I always wanted to be able to do what I’m passionate about along with the business. This is what led me to start developing my talent for music and my passion for fashion from a very young age. I started playing instruments. I learned to play the drums, the bass, the guitar and the piano at the age of 4. On the other hand, fashion is something I have always liked. As I admired the way people dress and express themselves, I began to practice fashion more seriously. I always knew that I wanted to develop and combine it with a career which I am passionate about – business. And this passion led me to study business management. I enjoy reading and learning about different cultures, and history and listening to different ideas.
My dream purpose is to be able to help and serve others with what I do to inspire people with my story. Changing the misconception that modelling is for people with weak academics is my goal because I believe this is wrong. In my experience, the world of fashion has made me stronger and it has forced me to educate myself and meet very wonderful and successful people.
“As I admired the way people dress and express themselves, I began to practice fashion more seriously.”
What gives you a career in modelling? Name three positive aspects.
A career in modelling can be rewarding for various reasons.
Confidence and Presence: Models should exude confidence and possess a strong stage presence during photoshoots, runway shows, or any promotional appearances. A commanding presence and the ability to project emotions effectively are essential for captivating audiences and clients.
Creativity and Self-expression: Modelling allows individuals to express themselves creatively through various poses, facial expressions, and fashion styles. It offers a platform to showcase unique personalities and individuality.
Professionalism and Work Ethic: A successful modelling career relies on professionalism, punctuality, and a strong work ethic. Models must be reliable and committed to delivering their best performance in every assignment, maintaining a positive reputation within the industry.
While these aspects are essential, it is also important to recognize that modelling is a diverse field, and different niches may value various qualities. Being open to continuous learning, adaptability, and persistence are also valuable traits that can contribute to a thriving modelling career.
If clothing is a way of self-expression, let’s talk about you and your personal priorities in clothing.
I definitely believe that clothing is a powerful form of self-expression. It allows us to transmit personality, style and identity to the world. The way we dress can communicate a variety of messages about ourselves, including interests, cultural background, beliefs, and even mood on a particular day. In my case, I always try to follow fashion trends with my unique style. I consider myself elegant and classy. Showcasing a professional style often involves classic and timeless silhouettes that enhance the natural lines of the body with neutral colours thus, creating simplicity. In the end, the most important thing you have is the confidence you carry with yourself as it is the way the world sees you.
“Models must be reliable and committed to delivering their best performance in every assignment.”
You play several musical instruments. Tell us about the history of your passion for music. Name your favourite pieces of music.
I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to learn to play so many instruments. Today, I play drums, piano, bass and guitar. My father, being a musician and having a music academy introduced me to the world of music at the age of 4. The first instrument I learned to play was the drums. As my passion for music grew around the 80s, I wanted to learn to play all the instruments and create my own band. Playing instruments regularly and participating in music events helped me build discipline, creativity, and self-expression. Also created a great interest in musical genres. The fact that it was the 80s, rock music increased my curiosity and desire to learn. I can say that I enjoy all musical genres, I can find the magic in each song and genre. Each of them has its unique beauty and has resonated with audiences for generations. Whether it’s classical, jazz, rock, pop, Latin, or any other genre, music has the power to spark emotions, tell stories, and bring people together through shared experiences.
“I can say that I enjoy all musical genres, I can find the magic in each song and genre.”
You read a lot and are engaged in self-education. What topics are you interested in, and why? How does your knowledge help your modelling business?
I think it is very important to learn ‘to learn’ throughout life. My dad used to tell me that a day you don’t learn anything, is a wasted day. Reading, researching, studying, talking with someone, listening to different points of view, all these things make us learn and help us to grow to face different situations. Personally, I like to invest my time rather than waste it. I believe that time is the most valuable asset we have, so we must put it to good use. For me, the most important thing is to read regularly. In my case, I really enjoy reading personal growth topics, history is already something that attracts my attention or any other book that can teach me something new.
In short, knowledge and self-education are valuable assets for the modelling industry too. They give you the skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel and stand out in a competitive field and build a successful and fulfilling career. Continuous learning enables models to develop diverse skills and talents while staying informed about current fashion trends. It enhances a model’s communication skills and professionalism. Knowledge of different cultures and their aesthetics is vital for models working on an international scale.
