Conversations with Ayana Whitaker

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayana Whitaker

Hi Ayana, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Ayana Whitaker, but I go by Yana Kaii. Kaii is short for my middle name. I have been in love with fashion since a child. I used to watch America’s next top model growing up and The Devil wears Prada was one of my favorite movies. At a very young age my grandmother taught me how to sew. My great grandma taught her, so she passed it down to me. We used to create Easter outfits using patterns from the fabric store. In middle school, I used to sew in my spare time as recreational. In high school I took sewing classes and started to become interested in becoming a total stylist. I continued on to college majoring in Fashion merchandising and minoring in Business at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I graduated with my Bachelors of Science. After college, I ended up with a job in merchandising with Ulta Beauty in Omaha, NE. That job did not last long before moving to a career in corporate. While there, I ended up falling off from fashion because of the stability corporate gave me. I also was in a relationship and became a new mom during that time period of my life. In 2019, I went through a difficult break up which resulted in me cutting all of my hair off and dying it blue. I felt like a whole new person and decided I wanted to model. I started with boudoir modeling to feel good about myself again as a newly single person and mother. I also reached out to local clothing lines (Snow & Palms, Noble Illuminators, Designs by Eleishia) to do photoshoots with them as well. In 2022, I tried out for Omaha fashion Week for the first time and was chosen to walk for Hannah Caroline Couture wedding line. Since then, I have done many photoshoots, advertisements, live modeling, and been in many shows in Omaha, Los Angeles, NewYork, Denver, and Kansas City. My goal is to inspire moms and curve women to exude confidence. They are needed within these spaces. You can do anything you put your mind to with hard work, consistency, and dedication.

I want to shoutout some designers and clothing brands I have worked with:
Hannah Caroline Couture (Omaha, NE)
LiloushLine (Omaha, NE)
K Made IT (Kansas City, MO)
Tivona (Kansas City, MO)
Haus of Faye/ InspireD’Signs (Aurora, CO)
Cherish Perkins (Omaha, NE)
Flex Modesty by Hawa (Omaha, NE)

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey has been a challenge with being a mom. I have to always find coverage and baby sitters when I travel to model. I also deal with back lash of my daughter being upset she can’t always come with me. She doesn’t understand that I am doing this for a better future for us, but as a result I do deal with mom guilt. Since I haven’t been paid as a model yet, it can be hard to financially sustain my career goals when financials can be a road block. With me being a plus model, I have ran into situations where photographers refused to photograph me. It is already hard to be chosen to be on the runway because of my size. The industry can be very harsh and that can be discouraging. Regardless, I have to stay positive and have tough skin within this business. Some people can be really mean on the internet and state negative comments about me, but through it all I continue to persevere because the love always outweighs the hate.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
With modeling I specialize in Runway, Editorial, and Print. I am working on being more Commerical as well as coaching other models. I don’t always like to be in the limelight, I also like to be behind the scenes. I am also a content creator and monetized on most of my social platforms. I call myself a model who records her journey. It hasn’t always been easy to balance both of my passions, but I make it work.

Outside of modeling and content creation I am a registered behavior technician and I work with clients with disabilities. As a RBT I work with teaching clients with autism ways to correct behaviors using applied behavior analysis strategies. I love working with children with autism because they are the most sweetest beings. Watching their progress is so rewarding. I also help with my aunt who has two autistic children and I am also able to help other families with providing care for anyone in the home with disabilities. I enjoy helping people. I am a natural teacher. I have a lot more patience than most people. I choose to work jobs that are flexible to my schedule as I work on my modeling career. I am most proud of balancing my life while being a mom. I plan to have a nanny and homeschool so that my child is able to make events with me as I get more bookings and travel more.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My advice for finding a mentor is networking. Travel, go to different events and talk to people while you are there. Approaching people and making conversation is how I’ve met most of my connects that I know. Be approachable yourself, put yourself out there and brand yourself well. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money, so invest in yourself and your career with advertisements online, traveling for shows, and coaches. It’s important to be coachable, take constructive criticism, and implement that feedback. Nobody wants to work with a model who isn’t willing to listen, who complains, not on-time, and doesn’t take it seriously. With any job, you need to market yourself and make people want to hire and work with you. Get in good with your designers, all of my designers I have worked with usually choose me to do work again due to me being a good model. I’m on time, I communicate well, I listen, and I implement and over achieve the goal.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ayanakaiiportfolio.my.canva.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yanaxloves/profilecard/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ayana.kailinya