Karen Vega: from Oaxaca to the catwalks of the world
In July 2021 he left on the cover of the renowned Vogue Mexico magazine. Since then, Karen Vega became the first Oaxaca model not only to appear in that publication, but to be recognized worldwide.
In July 2021 she left on the cover of the renowned Vogue Mexico magazine. Since then, Karen Vega became the first Oaxaca model not only to appear in that publication, but to be recognized worldwide. Its Mexican characteristic features have revolutionized the catwalks, increasingly inclusive with diversity and cultural mixtures. Here we tell you in detail your steps, dreams and what is glimpsed for your future in the fashion industry.
A child -linked childhood
Karen was born in Oaxaca, in 2001, a beautiful region to the south of Mexico. These famous lands for their beaches, architecture, food and natural benefits were the home of this talented brown complexion girl who captivates everyone. Since childhood he worshiped to make clothes for his dolls. They designed dresses and held them with ropes and leagues. These games meant a lot for the little girl. Then, at 14, he lived what could be considered as the first step towards a fashion race. His grandfather's wife made clothing for a regional brand. To help her, Karen modeled her creations.
"Magic realism", its first serious proposal
The designer Pompi García, also from Oaxaca, is known for making garments loaded with textures, color and a marked identity. He is a defender of the culture of Mexico and diversity within the industry. Garcia created a project that was known as "magical realism." With him he sought to highlight the beauty of Mexican leather. It was then that he was aware of Karen's existence and invited her to participate in her plan. She was still an inexperienced, but assumed the challenge with great enthusiasm and dedication. In an interview, Karen said in this regard that "it caught my attention to participate, since I had never seen on a catwalk a morenite model or with all my physical features." The photos they achieved with the incipient model were spectacular. This was the step that led her to think that she had an opportunity in the world of fashion and undertake that path.
A dream fulfilled
After his experience in "Magic Realism," Karen decided to take the model career seriously. It was a trade that he admired and dreamed of doing. In this way it became part of the spina talent modeling agency, a company formed in Oaxaca by photographer Enrique Leyva and Pompi García. This organization stands out for breaking the stereotypes of beauty and promoting diversity. Through the agency, Karen got his first job on the catwalks. It was a participation in the autumn-winter 2020 parade of the Azteca Barragán firm. On this experience, Karen said he helped him feel safe. “In this parade there was a very friendly and respectful environment. In addition, the models represented enormous diversity and that helped me strengthen trust and not feel different. I appreciate that my first experience has been like that, because it gave me a lot of energy to continue and believe that my dream can achieve it. ”
Made history in Vogue
After her first opportunity on the catwalk, the Oaxacan model actively continued in the middle. He conducted several photographic campaigns and other national and regional parades. Following a recognized agency allowed him to have numerous contacts in the industry. These steps led him to be the cover of Vogue Mexico magazine. It was the first time that an Oaxaca model and with its physical characteristics starred in the pages of the so -called "fashion Bible." At that time, the girl was barely 18 years old. Something historic clearly.
A struggle for fashion inclusion
For some years there have been some changes in the stereotypes or canons that are handled in the fashion industry. This has represented an opportunity for girls like Karen who are passionate about modeling, but they felt that they were not part of what is considered beauty within that world. That is why one of the tasks that Oaxaca has assumed is to defend ethnic inclusion and diversity. "My grain of sand would be to look at the southern woman, our stories, where we come from, so that more than photo models we can also be inspiration of another kind."
Present and future
To date, Karen Vega's work is valued and recognized worldwide. At 21, he has been part of brand campaigns such as Calvin Klein, Prada, Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton and even for the Biooderma commercial firm. His most recent work was by the famous Venezuelan designer Carolina Herrera.
