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Amaury Valero, a young man from Cienfuegos, became the first Cuban to open a Dolce & Gabbana fashion show in Milan, solidifying a career that has taken him to the most important runways in the world, according to a profile published this week on Instagram.
It all started with a casual comment. "A friend of mine told me, oh, you have a model's face. And I started looking for photographers," Valero recounted. That first photo on Instagram was the spark that propelled him into the most prestigious names in international fashion.
His career includes collections for Louis Vuitton, Dior, Tom Ford, Celine, and Dolce & Gabbana, with appearances on the runways of Milan, Paris, and New York.
The peak moment arrived when he was informed that he would open the show for the iconic Italian fashion house. "When they reached out to tell me I would be opening the show, all I could do was cry. Then, I called my mom and said, 'You won't believe this,'" the model described with emotion.
According to reports, Valero participated in the Dolce & Gabbana Autumn/Winter 2024 collection, opening the show, and walked again for the Spring/Summer 2025 collection of the brand. In his appearances, he has embodied the house's signature: understated elegance, impeccable cuts, and monochromatic tones.
Milan is considered one of the four major fashion capitals of the world alongside Paris, New York, and London. Opening a show for Dolce & Gabbana—one of the most iconic Italian fashion houses, founded by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana—is one of the greatest honors for any active model.
Valero is not the only Cuban who has made a mark on international runways. The Cuban model Juan Betancourt, discovered by Elite Barcelona, paved the way for the talent from the island to be recognized in Europe. Additionally, Cuban models have taken social media by storm from Miami, and figures like Mily Alemán strutted down the Miami Fashion Week, adding Cuban names to the map of international design and fashion.
Despite his success, Valero maintains a deep emotional connection with the island and his family. "Whenever I want, right? And I want to have a coffee with my grandmother because she makes it really good. Or do a little spinning again or something. I can move back too," said the model, making it clear that behind the lights of Milan, he is still the young man from Cienfuegos who dreams of returning home.
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