Sevilla-born model Desirée Cordero talks navigating the fashion industry, life as an influencer, and embracing her authenticity.

It has been a hectic start to the Spring season. From social distancing, work-from-home, and strict travel bans, March is proving to be one for the books – but the model and social media influencer Desire Cordero is making do with the time she has at home. From demonstrating her everyday workout routine, at-home dinner dates with her boyfriend – soccer player Joaquín Correa of the Società Sportiva Lazio – and spur-of-the-moment photoshoots for her 232,000 followers, Desire Cordero is simply just Desire Cordero. Traveling between Los Angeles and New York City for work and her home in Rome, Cordero makes the most of her grueling modeling schedule – being a tourist. “I fell in love with New York City at first sight. People take care of each other. I love to participate in sports while I’m there, take a walk in Central Park, go out with friends, and I take any opportunity to go to fashion and cultural events. There are just a lot of open doors.” As a city known for countless possibilities, Cordero strives to be on the top of her career, and New York City is the place to get it. 

“I’ve always been the same person. Humble, simple and a good person; but I learned to be less innocent or naive. Bad people are always biting.”

“My most memorable collaboration, without a doubt, was Guess,” Cordero grins while looking back on her past works. At twenty-six, Cordero has seen the world. As a model, it comes with the territory. “It began when I was fourteen in my hometown of Sevilla.” From making a name for herself in Spain to clocking in miles around the world, she can’t seem to keep still. “I’ve moved to Barcelona, and started to travel around the world at the age of seventeen. Istanbul, Londres, Paris, Milan, Hamburg, Zurich, Miami, Los Angeles, and living between Roma and New York City, those cities I have visited the most since I got my start.” What Cordero won’t boast about is her crown. Pageant crown, that is. In 2014, Cordero competed and won the title of Miss Spain. From there, she became a household name. With the previous modeling before her crowning moment, Cordero’s stance in the fashion industry took off. But, according to Cordero, working in the fashion industry was not a reality she intended on living. “It wasn’t in my mind,” she honestly admitted. Thanks to her father’s advice, Cordero then age fourteen, decided to go for it. “Nowadays I´m so involved in it. I´m going to always be thankful for this world because it made me open my eyes and accept me. I used to try to revindicate about the sizes in this industry, and I´d love to transmit to everyone who reads me that if you trust in yourself, everybody is going to also.” From there, Cordero has used her talents to cross-industry borders, from modeling into the film industry. “I’m so proud to be a part of the upcoming film All I See Is You, starring Blake Lively and Jackson Clarke, directed by Marc Foster. What a pleasure to meet Marc. He encouraged me to start my career in film.” Now, Cordero understood the power of her newfound influence.

Observing the curated content created that consumes Cordero’s Instagram feed, work saturates and is accompanied by behind-the-scenes views of her days off. “When I’m not working my days are so undefined,” says Cordero. Juggling between modeling and Instagram influencer branding, Cordero just wants to be the best that she can be. “Nowadays [social media] is a resume for this industry, and I only use it for work,” she adds and continues, “I’ve always been the same person. Humble, simple and a good person; but I learned to be less innocent or naive. Bad people are always biting.” The best advice she’s received to combat hard times: “Trust in yourself, believe in yourself and never give up. Knowing what I know now, I´d say: live your life, enjoy it, try to be positive and happy with all your problems or differences. Do whatever you want and don’t be stepped on by anybody. More importantly, always try to be in peace with your own.” When she is not participating in castings and meetings, or attending high-end social gatherings, to get her mind right, Cordero unwinds with a multitude of workouts. Streaming to her fan base, Cordero ensures every chance she gets to mix up her workout. “I mix it with Muay Thai, hot yoga, personal training, boxing or pilates,” shares Cordero. On quiet days, “I love to rest and stay in with my boyfriend or my family. I love to spend my time with them the most.”

Remaining strong-willed, Cordero is fully aware of the broadening markets each country has developed. Feeling hard competence in the States, the Spanish model has come to terms with what standards the beauty and fashion industries have instilled. That has not and will not stop her. “I push to be more hardworking. You need to be your best version and stronger.” Unapologetic, fresh, warm, and authentic to Cordero and Cordero alone. Long days and nights, endless travel and being away from the ones you love, the life of a modern model can be grueling, but Cordero refuses to change a thing. “I´m not regretful of anything. All that I have done, has made me who I am today – including my family.” With dreams of the future, “[I] want to do Sports Illustrated Swim, walk for Dolce & Gabbana, a Nike or Adidas campaign, Fenty Beauty by Rihanna, Calvin Klein, and Victoria´s Secret,” there is no dream too big for Cordero. Always looking to the future, grateful for her journey and the support she has received over the years, time will tell what we will see Cordero doing next. We can assure you, it will be huge.