Modeling is a profession that is mistakenly believed to be built on the luck of being discovered, but model Laura Iafrate knows about the determination that it takes to succeed in the modeling world. She used her dedication to her craft and her belief in herself to win the Elite Model Look title in 2014.
Modeling Success Image credit Laura Iafrate
Iafrate entered the world of professional modeling at the age of sixteen when the Venezuelan-born model was discovered and signed to the Elite Model Look Modeling Agency. Though Iafrate shares being discovered was not a lucky fluke, as she was already working toward a professional modeling career. Iafrate explains that at the age of fifteen, with the encouragement of her mother, she enrolled in the Caracas-based Giselle's Modeling Academy. Within the academy, Iafrate developed skills in catwalk modeling and makeup application. Iafrate shares that it was during this time that she gained greater self-confidence through the modeling skills that she was developing. She says that as a young girl she had never stood out in a crowd and didn’t want to, but within the world of modeling, she began to project the most confident part of herself. It was the confidence and skills that Iafrate learned within the academy that would see her win the Elite Model Look title in 2014. Iafrate represented Venezuela in the Elite Model Look World Final held in Shenzhen, China. Speaking of the pride she felt in taking home the title, Iafrate says, “Winning the Elite Model Look title in 2014 showed me how far self-belief and commitment to your dreams can take you.”
While training as a model, Laura Iafrate also found time to study and excel in Law and Liberal Arts at Universidad Metropolitana de Caracas. Since finding success as a professional model, Iafrate shares that she has taken great joy in using her platform to evaluate the message of several different charity organizations. She has supported the fight against the human trafficking of minors in Latin America and lent her voice to GSN UN’s Sustainable Development Goals campaign in Mexico in 2019. Of her current life, which now sees her modeling for fashion brands like Angel Sánchez, Iafrate says, “Where I am now in my professional career as a model is where I always wanted to be. It took dedication and determination and I’m proud of the journey.”
While modeling may not prove to be the dream career for every hopeful, those who do succeed give anyone else with a modeling dream the hope they need to try.