Meet Trailblazer Fernanda Velasquez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Fernanda Velasquez.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am 23 years old, a fashion design student and a fashion model. My passion for fashion started when I would look at fashion magazines and feel mesmerized with all of the different and interesting poses that the models did. I would stare at the models and the garments that they were wearing for hours. As I got older, I would draw the outfits that I liked the most. As the years passed, my passion started to fade but, it never died. Last year, I decided to make a drastic change in my life. I changed my career path to fashion design and I tried modeling as a hobby. Today, I am continuing my passion in a more serious manner at ASU and I am improving my modeling skills by coming out in more runway shows and doing more photo shoots.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road at all. The fashion industry is rigid, cutthroat, and harsh. This type of industry can break you and make you feel hopeless but, as long as you are confident on who you are, what you want to do, and where you want to be in the industry. You can feel the pressure of giving up because of rejection or you can feel unmotivated but, you need to believe in yourself and no matter how many times you get rejected, always get up and fight harder.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about your business – what should we know?
Right now, I am in the rough stages of starting a collection. I do fashion modeling and runway. I have been in numerous fashion shows including the biggest fashion show in Tucson, Arizona, Moda Provocateur. I am also a part of a modeling agency in the border town of Nogales, Sonora. I am the proudest of creating a skirt from scratch that fits me, I have worn it multiple times. Also, I am proud of how far I have gotten in modeling. I did not think that I would get this far and I am excited to get even farther.

So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
Women today, are getting equal and more opportunities due to the change of society’s ideas, opinions, and/or mindset. Although women are not equal to men, women and men have their own strengths. I think that there are opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for just as there are opportunities that men are well positioned for. I believe that there are challenges that face women but, there are women who have risen from those challenges to become icons in the business world, media, engineering, and much more. Although, there are opportunities that women can take advantage easier, for lack of a better word, than men and vice versa.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: http://instagram.com/_fernandavelasquez_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fernandavelazqu

Image Credit:
Neil Peters fotografie, Jessica Granados

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