Valeria Mazza was born on February 17th, 1972, in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. Her father, Raul and mother Monica had a close friend that helped Valeria get her first job as a model, in an amateur fashion show. Valeria began modeling in Buenos Aires after finishing her high school. She was studying Occupational Therapy when the pull from the world of modeling brought her to the capitals of fashion. Her discovery by Paul Marciano, the president and art director of GUESS?, Inc. has brought her international exposure and recognition. Valeria's first campaign with GUESS? was photographed in Hawaii by Dewey Nicks, in which she appears with model Ingrid Seynhaeve. Valeria's next campaign, also shot by Dewey Nicks, depicts the elegantly laid-back style of Los Angeles. Valeria has a natural yearning to help those less fortunate, and did everything she could in her spare time to help others. The 5'10", blue-eyed blonde knew she made it in the big leagues when she appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue with Tyra Banks in 1996. Her hair was so blonde it became her trademark. When she dyed her dark hair before several shows, she claims, "no one recognized me". Valeria says she lost forty per cent of her fans, who just didn't recognize her. Already she has appeared on the cover of US Glamour, US and French Cosmopolitan, Elle Argentina, as well as many other Latin American publications. At 22, she has already graced runways in Paris, Milan and New York. living between Paris and New York, Valeria tries to see her family and friends back in Argentina as often as her busy schedule allows. For now, Valeria wants to continue modeling, but dreams of raising a large family some day.