Yana S.
Measurements:
Waist: 27 1/2
Hips: 35 3/4
Bust: 34’’
Height: 5’6
Weight: 120
Hair/Eye Color: Dirty Blonde, Green
Tell us about yourself
Hello hello!! My name is Yana and i’m currently from Cedar Rapids, Iowa! I’m 21 and i’ve been modeling for about a year and a half now!
Tell us about your modeling experience.
I started off following a bunch of photographers and models in the area. I’ve always loved fashion and doing creative shoots, but never considered it could be a career. I slowly built my portfolio traveling around the midwest, meeting amazing people, and asking all of the questions I could. In October 2022 I went out on a limb and applied for Coco Rocha Modeling Camp in NYC. I wasn’t expecting anything but then I got a DM and an email getting invited! December I went and it was the most amazing experience of my life. I learned more than I ever could on my own and truly understood my passion for this industry. After that, I got invited to do more shoots, walked in a runway show, got published in a magazine based in Chicago, and worked for a clothing brand based out of my city! I can’t wait for the next chapter in my modeling career!
What is your biggest dream?
I have many dreams but the biggest dream is to be able to travel the world with the people I love and experience everything I can out of this life! I would also love to give back to my family and friends who have always pushed me to follow my dreams. A huge dream of mine in my modeling career is to walk and/or campaign for big name brands such as Mugler, Gucci, YSL, Dior and Versace.
What does it mean to be your own kind of beautiful?
Embracing all your “weird”, flaws, and truly understanding who you are as a person means you are your own kind of beautiful. No one else can define your beauty.
How would you describe your fashion style?
I would describe my fashion style as comfy chic. I love finding soft clothes that I can feel myself in but also have a bit of fashion to it. When I dress up, I go for dark tones that make my eyes, skin and hair pop! I love alternative fashion and 70s style as well.
Who or what inspires you?
I draw a lot of inspiration from nature as well as early 2000s supermodels. I love the influence of the 2000s supermodel era had on the world. They made their presence known and became a brand just off of their names and look! Nature has a raw beauty that I love to pull outfit concepts from or even a cool makeup look. We wouldn’t be here without nature so why not pay tributes to it every day.
What is your advice to someone who is just getting started with modeling?
My advice for upcoming models would be don’t be afraid of criticism. This is a hard industry to get into and there will be constant feedback and harsh criticism coming your way. Make sure you know who YOU are so nothing else can sway you from who you want to be. Listen to the feedback you’re given and take it but don’t let it turn you into someone you’re not.
Describe some obstacles you have overcome in your life and how that has changed or shaped you.
I was adopted from Russia at 7 months old. Being adopted and knowing that i’m adopted my whole life has definitely shaped who I am today. When I was younger it never really phased me, until kids started making fun of my name. It sort of made me an outsider that I had a “weird” and that my parents weren’t really my real blood parents. I spent a lot of time alone being an only child so I used my imagination a lot. That brought out my creativity and helped me ignore what the other kids used to say. As i grew up, it started getting to me that I was abandoned and wasn’t wanted by my blood relatives. What made them decide to give me away? Was I not good enough for them? Those questions sent me into a spiral of self depreciation and doubt. If my own blood family didn’t want me, who else would? It took me a long time to understand the fact that nothing was my fault. I constantly have to remind myself that the past doesn’t define a person.
What makes you beautiful/handsome?
The love that I have in my soul is what makes me beautiful. Inside beauty makes the outside radiate and forces people to notice.
What would you say to another girl/guy your age who is struggling with their confidence?
We live on a floating rock in the middle of space. The universe is filled with endless possibilities and our 100 years of life shouldn’t be wasted on negative feelings. The way you are is perfect and no one can take it from you.
