Time has passed, careers have shifted, but the essence of who Valerie De Los Santos is—poised, self-assured, quietly powerful—remains unchanged.
For the first time in a while, the 2000s supermodel steps in front of the camera, draped in designer ensembles and heirloom jewelry. In a series of portraits lensed by 2025 Preview Creative 25 awardee Belg Belgica, Valerie embodies a timeless elegance, a balance of grace and strength honed over years of experience in both the fashion industry and in her newfound career in wellness. Her presence is magnetic, each frame capturing the depth of a woman who has lived, learned, and evolved through the decades. As she returns to the lens, Valerie lets us into a more intimate chapter of her story, revealing the layers of resilience, transformation, and the quiet power that has always defined her.
In this edition of Preview Go-See, Valerie tells herstory— where she opens up about the transition from modeling to teaching yoga, the lessons learned along the way, and the passions that continue to shape her future.
Preview Go-See: Valerie De Los Santos
How did you get your start in the modeling industry? Tell us the story of how you got “discovered."
"I was walking with my college friends on a night out and fashion designer Inno Sotto saw me. He asked his friend who was with him to approach me and ask if I would be interested to model for his upcoming fashion show. He then had me attend weekly workshops with fashion director Ariel Lozada, who taught me how to catwalk. The rest, as they say, is history."
Suit Set, archival, KOSHIN SATO. Gold necklace, MELE + MARIE.
How long have you been modeling, and what do you love most about the experience?
"Well, I already retired from modeling! I would accept the occasional fashion show or photo shoot if it’s something that excites me (case in point: this shoot!) or if it is for a designer friend. What I loved most about it was that it gave me the opportunity to travel the world. It ignited my thirst for travel."
Black cut-out dress, stylist's own. Gold necklace [styled as a belt], vintage, GUY LAROCHE.
Curved wool coat, JACQUEMUS. Silver dégradé pailette skirt, shoes, and jewelry, stylist's own.
What was the biggest struggle you faced in the modeling industry, and how did it shape your outlook on career and well-being?
"Learning how to deal with rejection. It gave me a strong backbone. It taught me how to keep my chin up even when something is not going my way. Having the strength and resilience to face any challenge—even with the chance of failure or rejection is definitely something that has carried over into my entire outlook on life, not just on career and well-being."
Black and white jacquard dress, MATICEVSKI. Pearl drop earrings, vintage.
Would you say being a model was your dream job? Why or why not?
"It wasn’t my dream to be a model. It was never on my radar. When I was still studying, what I really wanted was to be in business. But when I became a model and the longer I did it, it became my dream job. I wouldn’t have done it for a long time if it wasn’t. I enjoyed it a lot. I met so many interesting people and traveled to beautiful places because of it."
Black leather jacket, stylist's own. Black trousers, silver and gold diamanté neckpieces, vintage, stylist's own.
What would you say is the most memorable project you’ve done as a model so far?
"I traveled to Kenya to shoot a cover and fashion story for a magazine. The trip was sponsored by the Kenya Tourism Board for a group of travel agencies and the magazine was also invited but was only allowed to send two people. The magazine decided to send the photographer and me. So I ended up being the stylist and makeup artist as well.
I was able to go on game drives (safaris) and see the Kenyan wildlife! I was able to shoot with flamingoes, a black rhino (I was sitting on him!), a giraffe (it kissed me!), Maasai warriors, the Maasai women at their village, Kikuyu tribesmen, and danced with the Samburu. I was even able to go to the equator line! It was the most unforgettable experience that I cherish to this day."
Black trousers, vintage, stylist's own. Silver heels, AMINA MUADDI. Statement necklace, MELE + MARIE.
Was there a specific moment that made you realize you wanted to transition into wellness and yoga?
"Well, I didn’t transition directly. I first dipped my toes into the corporate and brand marketing world and then into the sales world until I finally realized what I was passionate about—yoga. It was just a lightbulb moment right after attending a yoga class that it was something that I wanted to do. So I quit my job and left the country to train and become a yoga teacher."
Black top, RICK OWENS. Paneled cady skirt, MATICEVSKI. Brushed silver and leather jewelry, vintage, stylist's own.
In what ways has your background in modeling influenced your approach to yoga and wellness?
"You need to be yourself and let your personality shine through. It is what will set you apart.
In modeling, you play different roles and get into different personas for fashion shows and shoots depending on the brief, but you always need to interpret it and put your own personal spin into it to make it your own.
"With teaching, each class is different depending on who my students are, and I always do or say something that would make it more personal—something unique to my classes that would make the students keep coming back."
"I can also say that modeling has given me the confidence to speak in front of a room or space full of people. I was quite shy and introverted before, and modeling helped me come out of my shell."
Do you see any connections between the discipline of modeling and practicing or teaching yoga?
"Both require you to take good care of your body."
What’s your advice to aspiring models, especially when it comes to balancing career and personal well-being?
"Keep your feet on the ground and always make time for rest!"
Reworked leather jacket bodice, custom, ANTONINA. Leather skirt, MATICEVSKI, Pearl strands, vintage, stylist's own.
Looking ahead, how do you see your career in wellness evolving? Do you have any dream projects in this space?
"I just started a company with a friend of mine who’s also a teacher—it’s called KIN (@kin.session). We host and curate different experiences combining yoga and/or pilates sessions with other fun activities depending on the space we’re holding it in—like surfing lessons at an island getaway, a relaxing massage in a jungle villa, a mountaintop party at the end of a hike or a dinner feast at an organic farm.
"We have already done a few around the city and in nearby provinces. We plan to take this to more places all over the country, and our dream is to eventually also do this around the world."
White suit jacket, DDDAILY. Deconstructed skirt, RAF GALANG. Ballerina flats, GANNI. Neckpiece, MELE + MARIE.
Chiffon scarf and cuff, stylist's own. Skirt, CARL JAN CRUZ. Hammered gold earcuffs [used to cinch chiffon scarf], vintage.
Photographer: Belg Belgica
Creative Director: Markarvin
Stylist: Geno Espidol
Makeup: Luis Bunag
Hair: Cats del Rosario
Model: Valerie De Los Santos
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