BIOGRAPHY
Karin Rojas is a vehicle seat designer and founder of Zulema LLC, best known for her automotive, marine and aircraft interior work through Zulema Custom Interiors. Her work combines design, upholstery craftmanship and custom fabrication. Rojas is also a fashion designer and web developer and the founder of Zulema Fashions clothing labels.
Early Life
Karin Elizabeth Centurion was born in Callao, Peru, to Zulema Rojas Fernandez
and Daniel Humberto Centurion. Karin was raised in a catholic family. Her father served in the Peruvian Naval
Infantry. Karin’s mother served as an officer with the Peruvian Investigative Police and died in the line of duty when Karin was six years old.
Karin and her older brother, Christian, were raised by their
father’s family in Lima, Peru. Karin developed an early interest in the arts while attending PNP Alcides Vigo Hurtado. While in school, Karin won several art
competitions and became known for her art projects throughout her school
district. During the summer months,
Karin attended modeling and etiquette classes at Municipalidad Distrital
de Villa Maria del Triunfo, where she learned runway modeling, choreographed
dance, and formal etiquette.
As a teenager, Karin visited the province of Contumaza in northern Peru, where she won the Ms. Contumaza beauty pageant for her age group.
Karin and her family moved to the United States in 1996, when she
was 13 years old. After settling in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Karin continued to pursue the arts, with her artwork displayed in school-organized art exhibitions and local galleries. At the age of 14 she attended
the Evie Mansfield Modeling & Talent Agency where she modeled for runway
upon graduation.
At 16 years old, while in high school she attended Virginia
Beach Technical & Career Education Center where she took a class for digital
design and marketing, and she was discovered as an artist by Pembroke mall and
was asked to design the invitations, flyers, and posters for the Virginia Beach
Public School Art show held in 1999.
Education
Upon graduation from high school, Karin attended Tidewater Community
College (TCC), with a major in social science. At night she digitally designed
logos, posters, and other graphic materials for local clients.
She also began to sew and opened Zulema’s Alterations, a home-based
business. Upon graduating from TCC in 2008, Karin attended Old Dominion University, where she studied Graphic Design before transitioning to Fashion Merchandising, in which she earned her bachelor's degree. While she continued to sew from home Zulema’s Alterations began to flourish, Karin began to design clothing in addition to alterations. She changed the business name from Zulema’s
alterations to Zulema Fashions. While
continuing to sew from home, Karin spent her summers assisting local fashion designers, including RicLamar and April Spring, with runway shows and helping models perfect their runway walks. In 2014, Karin modeled and presented her own mini collection, Sumac Zulema, at a fashion show sponsored by Old Dominion University. During her last year in school, she interned
at Dress for Success Hampton Roads where she was also hired to do alterations
for their clients. After completing her studies, Karin was hired by Lizzi London Fashions to create a bridal collection that was showcased at Virginia Fashion week in 2015.
Career
In 2016, after leaving Lizzi London Fashions, Karin was offered a job at a local upholstery shop sewing furniture and boat cushions. Six months later, Karin had developed experience in furniture and boat upholstery and was hired by Nick's Upholstery to
sew car seats. During this time, Karin also worked a second job sewing marine canvas at night while continuing to sew for Zulema Fashions on weekends. In 2018, Karin let her other positions and founded Zulema Custom Interiors, a fashion-forward upholstery shop. As the business grew, customers began bringing aircraft seats to Zulema Custom Interiors in addition to automotive and marine upholstery projects. In June 2018, Zulema Custom
Interiors adopted the slogan 'AUTO . MARINE . AIRCRAFT'
Since founding Zulema Custom Interiors, Karin's work has attracted media attention for its creative designs and craftsmanship. She was interviewed by the Virginian Pilot,
Voyage Mia Magazine, Shoutout Atlanta, and Old Dominion University's Monarch Magazine. Karin was also invited as a guest on Poolside Cooking, a show available on Roku TV.
Awards Winning Projects:
2025: Sumospeed Fall Classic - Top Pick
Zulema Custom Interiors completed the custom seat upholstery for the award-winning vehicle
2023: Rollin’ Legends Custom Classic Car Show - Best Interior
Zulema Custom Interiors contributed custom upholstery to the vehicle that received the Best Interior award.
Professional Entrepreneurial Accomplishments:
2024: Upholstery Diamond - Albright Supply
2024: Top Gun Professional Business by County Advisory Board
2022: Leaders in Custom Upholstery Design - Virginia Beach, Global Excellence Awards by Acquisition International
2021: Best of Virginia Beach Award - Upholstery, Virginia Beach Award Program
Media and Professional Appearances
2025: Model - Modesty is Beauty
Featured as a model in the Modesty is Beauty photo book, published by Good Fish Cinema
2025: Music Video Appearance -""Make my God Famous"
Appeared in the official music video for Make my God Famous by Andre Wilson & EMG Worship
2024: Interview Feature - Boss Babes Blog
Featured in an interview discussing Karin Rojas's career, entrepreneurship, and creative work.
2024: Interview Feature - Que Pasa Mujer filmed by PodTV
Featured in an interview discussing Karin Rojas's creative career and professional journey.
Featured by Madam Sew demonstrating and reviewing the company's Seam Guide Ruler
2020: Commercial Appearance - HERF
Appeared in a television commercial for HERF, a local cigar club.
Film & Acting
2025: America's Favorite - Actress
Karin Rojas appeared as an actress in the upcoming film America's Favorite
2021: Til Death Do Us Part - Background Extra
Appeared as a background extra in Til Death Do Us Part by Good Fish Cinema
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