I was born in a small town in Misiones, a province in northern Argentina. As far as I remember, I never considered working as a model, although people often asked me about it when I was a teenager because of my height. By the age of 14, I was already 1.81 meters tall.
One day, I got scouted at a regional festival near my hometown, which is quite far from the capital city where everything happens. Curiosity led me to Buenos Aires to see what it was like to be a model. I had many preconceived notions about the industry, and those biases lingered for quite some time. I used to feel embarrassed to say, “I am a model” when people asked me about my job. Perhaps it was because of the comments I overheard or the concerns my family expressed. It was unfamiliar territory for them and for me too. However, I gradually realized how amazing this job was and the countless opportunities and experiences it brought into my life.
Things escalated quickly from there. I found myself shuttling between Buenos Aires and my hometown until the day I received a confirmed job in Paris. They told me, “You are booked for the Givenchy show.” At that time, I didn’t even know exactly what Givenchy was, but I was thrilled because I was going to PARIS!
This marked the true beginning of my journey. Agencies wanted to sign contracts, and soon I found myself traveling to New York, Rome, and back home. It was the first time I traveled alone. Previously, there was always someone with me. I remember feeling independent and grown-up until I ended up in the hospital! It happened after a photoshoot for Bergdorf Goodman when we had a seafood feast. Little did I know, I was allergic to shellfish and crustaceans. With limited English, I expressed that I wasn’t feeling well, and the next thing I knew, I woke up in a hospital bed. Fortunately, everything turned out fine, and I was able to explore the city afterwards.
Then came the fashion week, filled with its whirlwind of chaos and excitement. Airports buzzed with models – young, tall, and skinny girls traveling alone with their overweight luggage. Fashion week commenced in New York, followed by London, Milan, and Paris. Models packed into apartments or hotel rooms that accommodated 5-6 girls. To avoid waiting in line for a shower in the morning, one had to be smart and wake up before everyone else.
Modeling allowed me to live in New York, Paris, and experience cities like London, Hamburg, and Singapore for a few months at a time. It also took me to places I never thought I would visit, such as beautiful beaches in Mexico, caves in Cappadocia, and lovely gardens in France. Along the way, I had the privilege of meeting people from all over the world, some of whom have become my closest friends.
I changed my perspective on this job, and that helped me gain confidence and improve my work. I started observing other models’ poses and runway walks, particularly admiring the works of Coco Rocha and Gisele Bündchen.
I had the opportunity to work for esteemed publications such as Vogue, Elle, and V Magazine. Every photoshoot and runway show was a unique experience, with an incredible amount of work happening behind the scenes. Shows, which lasted a few minutes, required months of preparation. Walking at a show always excited me, though it also came with a hint of nervousness. It’s just part of the job.
After a few years of full-time modeling, I decided to return to Argentina and settle in Buenos Aires to pursue my other passions. I started university and am about to obtain my degree in Psychology. In the meantime, I took bakery courses and started my own small business called ‘Manteca y Miel’ which means Butter and Honey in Spanish.
I still model in Argentina and travel abroad for jobs when opportunities arise. I’m not sure how much longer I’ll stay in the fashion industry, but I am extremely proud of everything I have achieved so far!
