Skip to main contentSkip to footer
Models Elayne and Andres Felipe Mosquera© Raul Tovar

These Colombian supermodels are representing their country and culture through fashion

Elayne and Andrés Felipe Mosquera show off the hottest fall trends


SEPTEMBER 5, 2019 10:24 AM EDT

For a look at more exclusive photos from our LatiNext issue, pick up the October edition of HOLA! USA - available to subscribers now and on newsstands September 13. Subscribe today!

New York may be the fashion capital of the world, but when it comes to talent, Colombia is in the house. Models Elayne and Andrés Felipe Mosquera, who share their last name but aren’t related, are representing their country and culture through spreading awareness in the worlds of fashion and modeling. Although the Medellín natives established their friendship only a couple of years ago, the pair are on a solid mission to start the movement that celebrates inclusion. Together, Elayne and Andrés are putting their best foot forward in representation of Afro-Latinos.

Models Elayne and Andres Felipe Mosquera© Raul Tovar

The Colombianos are changing the game in the fashion industry 

Speaking to HOLA! USA, Elayne revealed that her secret for conquering catwalks throughout New York, Latin America and soon Paris, Milan and London, lies on “never feeling the prettiest but the most powerful in the room.” The Latina beauty confessed growing up she couldn’t relate with the world’s ideals of beauty, however, those ideals were what inspired her to make for change. “I seek recognition not for creating aesthetics but rather for breaking paradigms,” she shared.

MORE: Adriana Lima wishes this celebrity-favorite trend would forever disappear

Loading the player...

In accordance with his friend and fellow colleague, Andrés added that, “diversity plays a key role because it is not only necessary to represent the Afro-Latino force, but also to celebrate the colors of a country.”

Growing up, the duo never imagined they would be spreading awareness through modeling. Elayne had an interest in sports, and Andrés grew up with low self-esteem because, “in school I was always the tall one, the skinny one, the one who didn’t fit,” he said. But it was precisely that look which made scouts reach out to him.

MORE: Rihanna will be streaming her Savage X Fenty fashion show on Amazon Prime

Fast forward to today, and the two are forces of change and sources of inspiration for future stars. “We are going through a crucial moment in the industry where at last the doors are being opened to transgender people, to different races, to other ways of seeing the world, allowing to find beauty in what is different,” conveyed Andrés and Elayne.

Original interview by Claudia Torres Rondón