Name: Sofia Martins
Background: Sofia Martins grew up in Porto, Portugal, in a loving, middle-class family. Her father worked as a civil engineer, and her mother was a teacher. From a young age, Sofia was taught the importance of hard work, education, and family, though she always felt a strong pull toward something more creative and adventurous than the traditional path laid out before her.
Early Life: A self-described daydreamer, Sofia spent her teenage years sketching fashion designs in the margins of her school notebooks and admiring the street style in Porto’s vibrant downtown area. Though she excelled academically, particularly in literature and art, she found herself more drawn to creativity than to academics.
Modeling Career: Sofia’s entry into the modeling world happened unexpectedly when she was scouted by a local photographer at a friend’s event. Her unique, natural beauty and versatile look quickly caught the eye of several local fashion brands. She was soon signed by a modeling agency in Lisbon, which opened the door to opportunities in Portugal and beyond. Sofia’s approachable, down-to-earth vibe set her apart from other models, and she became known for her ability to transition seamlessly between high fashion and commercial campaigns.
Though Sofia’s modeling career steadily rose, she remains deeply grounded. Her aspiration is to expand her work beyond modeling by one day launching her own fashion line, focusing on affordable and sustainable clothing. She envisions a brand that merges her love of casual street style with ethical fashion, a concept she’s been passionate about since her early twenties.
I met Sofia Martins at a creative networking event in Lisbon focused on art and Portugal’s cultural heritage. Striking up a conversation about my Oipaengia project, a visual novel exploring pre-Roman myths, Sofia was intrigued by its connection to ancient folklore and empowering female characters. Her passion for storytelling, Portuguese culture, and creative endeavors made it a natural fit. Enthusiastic about bringing these myths to life, Sofia agreed to collaborate as both a model and a creative contributor, offering her image and ideas to the project. She saw it as an opportunity to merge her love for fashion and cultural history.
Personal Life & Hobbies: Outside of work, Sofia is an avid reader, with a particular love for historical fiction and poetry. She enjoys traveling, especially to off-the-beaten-path locations where she can explore different cultures and gain inspiration for her fashion ideas. Sofia is also passionate about wellness, practicing yoga and Pilates regularly, and she loves to cook healthy, plant-based meals—something she often shares on her social media.
Aspirations & Future Plans: Sofia’s long-term goals involve creating more opportunities for women in fashion who come from humble beginnings, much like herself. She is involved in mentoring younger models and is part of several initiatives in Portugal that support women in creative industries. Her dream is to become not only a successful model but a recognized entrepreneur and advocate for ethical fashion and women’s empowerment.
