In the span of a year, the tale of Valentina Castro Rojas has transformed from being the gifted braider of Afro hair in the Colombian coastal town of Tumaco’s Ciudadela to gracing the catwalks of the world’s premier luxury brand, Louis Vuitton, at a mere 18 years of age.
Not too long ago, Valentina was known for her dexterity in weaving intricate braids, a skill that earned her recognition in fashion shows and local beauty contests. Her 1.7-meter stature granted her an undeniable presence that drew eyes both at school events and within her community.
It was her distinctive height that eventually caught the eye of talent scouts during her school’s showcases. Yet, none could have foreseen that this same young woman would soon find herself in the spotlight of Louis Vuitton, an iconic brand that loomed beyond the horizons of Tumaco. The nearest Louis Vuitton store, located in Bogota, stood over a thousand kilometers from Valentina’s home, a luxury enjoyed by only a select few.
A little over a year ago, Valentina’s life pivoted dramatically with an unexpected Instagram message from a Dominican modeling agency scout. Her days of charging between 4 to 12 US dollars for her hairdressing services within her neighborhood were about to give way to a far more glamorous destiny.
What unfolded next was an awe-inspiring journey of transformation. Valentina, once braiding hair in the comfort of her own home, now graces iconic locales such as the Musée d’Orsay in Paris and the enchanting Italian island of Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore. The transition from her role as a neighborhood hair artist to the runways of high fashion was not without its challenges.
“One of the things I most admire about other models and myself is that we make it look easy, but it’s not really like that. It might look very cool, very hot; your feet will hurt you, but you go out as if nothing happened,” Valentina shared with BBC.
After traversing Europe for several months, Valentina returned to Tumaco, where she now navigates her final year of secondary school through virtual English lessons. Her everyday life is centered around her family—her mother, who sells products through catalogues, her siblings, and her father, who works as a fisherman.
Tumaco, the town where Valentina was born and raised, is situated on Colombia’s Pacific coast, a place where stark realities of poverty and violence often take center stage. This region, home to over 250,000 inhabitants, predominantly comprises Afro-Colombians and paints a vivid picture of a corner of Colombia grappling with multifaceted challenges.
Despite the adversity that characterizes the town, Valentina describes her neighborhood as “peaceful.” She attests to the community’s unity and the beauty of Tumaco’s sunsets, beaches, and culinary delights. Childhood memories of bonding with her sister over hair braiding are etched fondly in Valentina’s heart.
“I dress simply, but not my hair. I really like my hair, and I love to change my look. I don’t like to keep my hair the same,” she explained.
Social media, as it often does, played a pivotal role in her journey. Sebastián Bedoya, a headhunter from Nefer Models, discovered Valentina’s profile and reached out to her. Bedoya’s discerning eye sought models with specific characteristics, including height and a facial profile akin to that of the Egyptian queen Nefertiti.
Valentina’s story took an unexpected turn when Bedoya’s message popped into her inbox. “I didn’t have many followers, but they really liked the photos and poses I posted. I imitated a lot of poses from other models. I used to take selfies with the front camera,” Valentina recalled.
Initially skeptical, she cautiously expressed her interest to her mother, who, like any concerned parent, was wary of potential scams. The threat of human trafficking loomed large, a grim narrative that often overshadows genuine opportunities in the modeling world.
The journey from doubt to certainty wasn’t straightforward. However, Valentina’s determination eventually led her and her mother to Dominican Republic’s Santo Domingo, where they embarked on a journey that marked the launch of Valentina’s modeling career. Their trip, shrouded in secrecy, finally revealed the involvement of fashion giant Louis Vuitton.
Valentina’s remarkable journey continued with rapid transformations as she adapted to the demands of international modeling. However, her resolve was tested as she navigated the rigorous schedule, diet restrictions, and the unfamiliar terrain of runway modeling. The experience wasn’t without its challenges, leading her to faint on a plane due to malnutrition and prompting a reassessment of her approach to health and wellness.
Despite the hardships, Valentina’s perseverance paid off, and she found herself gracing the catwalk for Louis Vuitton’s autumn-winter show during Paris Fashion Week. Her journey from humble beginnings to the iconic Musée d’Orsay marked a significant victory against self-doubt, and her debut was met with success.
As Valentina carved a space for herself in the world of high fashion, she found herself interacting with celebrities and fellow models, navigating unfamiliar social dynamics and lingos with a spirit of inclusivity. The road ahead holds both aspirations and challenges for this remarkable young woman, from supporting aspiring models in her hometown to continuing her partnership with Louis Vuitton.
The transformation of Valentina Castro Rojas from a braiding prodigy in a small Colombian town to a global fashion icon epitomizes the resilience and determination that young individuals can harness to transcend their circumstances and embrace their dreams.