Sun, Sand, and the Spanish Coast with Agueda Lopez
Photographer: Nolan Rivera | Stylist: Claudia Madrid | Hair & Makeup: Raiza Montes | Casting Director: Manny Roman
Top: Alice & Olivia | Skirt: Olivia Boutique
From a childhood filled with magazine clippings of supermodels and runway shows, to living out that very dream today, life for Spanish model, wife and mother - Agueda Lopez - is anything short of worldwide experiences. Aside from her knockout social media presence, Lopez chats with Bode to talk quarantine, life, and the future of work, proving that she is much more than the glamazon that meets the eye.
By Errin Taylor Maye
Agueda Lopez is taking the latest ventures of quarantine better than most. With her two children, and a pop star husband, days have been calm, at times rambunctious, but nothing short of memorable. Nowadays, “off-duty” may have lasted longer than planned, but Lopez does not seem to mind. Finding a place to chat, with faded giggles in the background, Lopez fills us in on what her current household is up to. “It varies quite a bit. Somedays I’m in mom mode — waking my kids up, taking them to school, doing homework, and cooking for them — and somedays I’m waking up in Paris getting glammed up for the runway. I can honestly say I love both of these worlds and they compliment each other,” shares the model. Oh, and she is often accompanied by her eight-year-old daughter Mikaela, while attending said fashion shows. The girl loves fashion. Wonder where she gets it from?
Though Lopez has not been on a photoshoot set for what seems like forever, the model flexes her creative muscles with the help of her husband and an iPhone. Like many celebrities, Lopez has turned the current 5-month long lockdown into an at-home retreat using the time to reflect and evolve. “Social media has allowed me to reach people in all parts of the world that I would’ve never gotten close to otherwise. Followers from far away countries, fashion designers that are not that known but are incredibly talented, great job opportunities, etc. On the other hand, I try to follow people that positively influence me,” says Lopez as our conversation deepens on what the model has learned over the years. Continuing, “My family is my equator and that’s where I get my strength from. They give me the peace I need.” Between relaxing by the pool and gallivanting on the sands of Miami Beach, Lopez has defined her own definition of peace.
Fashion has been running in Lopez’s veins for as long as she can remember. “I always loved the world of fashion. My childhood was filled with magazine clippings of supermodels and runway shows,” recalls Lopez as we bond over such similarities. For Lopez, it was a simple question that gave the model the idea to pursue the realities, beyond the magazine clippings. At the age of twelve, Lopez — then a ballet dancer — took up the chance of making her dreams come true. Little by little, Lopez started booking small jobs — the ones that her mom would approve of — and she instantly fell in love. Her most memorable job was in Jamaica. “Wow, now that was the first photo shoot I did outside of my native Spain,” reminisces Lopez. “An experience I’ll never forget.” With an admiration for travel, the Spanish model has experienced many amazing adventures, and beautiful places. “I do love the discipline and the way things are structured in Europe, but I’m happy anywhere I go. I’ve travelled quite a bit to beautiful places like Singapore and Dubai, but my favorite will always be Paris. It never ceases to impress me and I’m just in love with that city. If it is beaches we are talking about, my favorite is Exuma, Bahamas. It’s tough to just name one place,” further expresses Lopez. “My career has allowed me to travel and live in different places, with different cultures and languages. It’s a never ending adventure. The journey from beauty queen to model and public figure has been filled with amazing experiences, challenges, and memories that I’ll never forget and hope to share with my kids in the near future.” The one message she continues to relay to her children, as well as reminding herself, is definitely one of strength. “If you have a dream, fight for it without caring what other people think.”
Taking a peek at Lopez’s Instagram, it is easy to see that the model and flourishing influencer centers her content around authenticity, motherhood and natural island beauty. Lopez ensures her content displays the importance of incorporating a genuine and healthy lifestyle, promoting it in the fashion and modeling world, and with her favorite brands that match the same methods and message in living. “Living a healthy lifestyle is not only important for me, but I want to set a positive example for my kids,” shares Lopez. In her house, meals include traditional Spanish food (from Lopez’s native Spain). “I always teach them about all the food groups and express how important it is to use organic products,” continues Lopez. While working out has fizzled out for many, others have become quite creative when it comes to a homemade gym. As a model, Lopez’s makeshift workouts (as well as her gorgeous, toned physique) have become the envy of many. On social media, it is quite hard to miss. “Exercising is part of my daily routine and [my children] see that. In the last couple of months, because of the pandemic, I’m training at home. They not only see me, but sometimes join me even if it is just doing a few jumping jacks with us. If a person doesn’t feel good with their lifestyle, they wont be able to project confidence. In the fashion world, unfortunately to meet expectations, women put their health at risk because of a poor diet,” expresses Lopez. By using her platform for good, the mother and model pushes herself — as well as her content — to be a positive example for others. Although 2020 has been a challenging year for all, Lopez’s main hope is to complete the goals she had envisioned for this year, spreading that same hope for the rest of us.
As an influencer, one thing we did get into, circles the notion of “celebrity”. From being photographed on the red carpet to front row at fashion week to cruising around town with her husband — “Despacito” singer, Luis Fonsi — tabloids have become second-nature to Lopez. When asked how she remains authentic and grounded, the model responds, “I don’t really pay too much attention to what’s published or written about me. My real life and inner peace is more important than anything else. I read things that are not necessarily true about me, but I brush them off, good or bad. Those things don’t phase me.” Lopez is unapologetically real, and it is no doubt a breathe of fresh air. The model strives to be more than her given titles, but to be seen as a loving, caring, and strong human being, known, “for saying what I really think and standing up for what I believe in. I’m very transparent and honest.”
As we wrap up our one-on-one, Lopez shares a bit of advice to uplift her followers, readers and as well as myself: “Don’t be afraid to say ‘no’ if something doesn’t feel right. Keep fighting for your dreams even if the world feels a little upside down. Find your inner balance and keep dreaming.”
Dress: Ecliptica Atelier | Accessories: Harold Cabrera