Mexican Fashion Model Karen Vega Takes Pride in Oaxaca Heritage

By Madelaine D. First Posted: Aug 28, 2020 08:44 AM EDT

Karen Vega is an 18-year-old model who is off to a strong start with her career in fashion.

The Mexican model from Oaxaca got her big break when she recently appeared in the July issue of Vogue Mexico. Vega is the first Oaxacan model to do so in the history of publication.

"It was a great surprise, from the time I received the invitation," Vega said.

"The day I had the magazine in my hand, and I could see my portrait in print, my family was very happy. It was a dream that we thought was very far away or, would never happen," she added.

“When I saw @YalitzaAparicio on the cover of @VogueMexico, it was a sign and now I know I might be a sign for other young women if I work hard and I’m grateful.” — Karen Vega pic.twitter.com/MllASZHrJ3 — Esmeralda Bermudez (@BermudezWrites) August 28, 2020

The Mexican beauty's work is just getting started. Vega plans to continue using the fashion industry to provide much needed-representation for the Oaxaca culture to be brought into the high fashion world.

According to Vogue, Vega was born and raised in a small southern village in Oaxaca, Mexico. She described her place to have a lot of folklore and traditions.

"From when we were young, we participated in all traditional festivities of our community, so we grew up dancing, singing, and enjoying the celebrations. Living here is very inspiring, as there are always many colors and artistic expressions everywhere," she said.

The teen recently began as a professional model, but she always dreamed of being a model since she was a child.

When she was young, she would often serve as the fit model for dresses made by Pompi Garcia, an Oaxacan designer who produces Vega's clothes in her grandparent's sewing workshop.

Vega thinks that when she served as a fit model for Garcia, it was the moment that she became interested in the world of fashion.

The young model said she always enjoyed trying the designer's dresses, having photoshoots, and being asked for a pose. Vega believed that she knew she had the talent to be a model when she got her first professional break and became a model for Garcia's new collections.

Since then, the model established herself in Oaxaca and proved to be a challenge in its own right. However, Vega told Vogue that change is happening, and fashion is slowly forming in there.

Traditional or indigenous clothing were Oaxaca's best products that represent different communities.

"Regarding contemporary design or modeling agencies, it is taking off. For now, the only modeling agency that exists is the one I belong to," the young model explained.

Vega is a part of Talento Espina, a boutique agency representing male and female models in Mexico's south area that gives opportunities to models who were often ignored.

As per Vega, the fashion industry requirements in Mexico were meant only for a small group of Mexicans.

"I believe that my agency will cause a big in the city and other cities in the south Mexico. Right now, most Mexican models are currently from the north," Karen said.