Yanez Perez
Please introduce yourself: What do you do? Where are you from? Where are you now?
My first name is pronounced Janice. It’s an intricate ice breaker where the language and dialects of the pronunciation became free reign when the tilda was removed from the letter “n” and therefore it became one of a kind. The irony is very similar to my life, unica! I’ve been in the fashion industry since I left home at 17 years old. I am a fashion model, movie and television actress, image consultant and blogger while simultaneously maintaining a career in law. I was born on one of the most infamous drug blocks in North Philly. Throughout my travels I found that Philly is the least expensive city in the world with the closest access to some of the most artistic resources. It’s literally a few hours away from several meccas therefore it will always be a place I call home.
You are the wearer of many hats. Your work has led you to national tv exposure, modeling, and working with fashion designers. But in 2012, you launched your own coaching startup, Instead Image Consulting. What or who inspired you to strike out on your own?
I was in college when I was introduced to the answer of my vision. I was often challenged by the world around me. It was as if my explanation of my vision fell through the cracks of a mundane cultural standard of society. Then I met God, the answer to my vision! I realized I had been experiencing Gods’ purpose in my life the entire time and that I had to share my vision with the world even if it wasn’t accepted by some people. My vision is nonetheless prophetic in its own right.
My business is a reflection of services that assist people to align with their purpose through a physical purge of the spiritual and emotional attachments people have with image. In many ways, restructuring the idea of their false self. My blog allows readers to meet visionaries that are often not highlighted until they reach a media source that is considered the quintessential glass ceiling. So INSTEAD, (pun-intended) I myself became the voice of those that break through glass ceilings.
Your photography captures images with such a sharp, clean balance between retro brand nostalgia and sleek, sexy glam. What influences do you draw upon when styling yourself? Any favorite photographers?
It’s interesting but I can’t correlate any physical influences on my work. Everything I do is based on a feeling. Issa vibe! Actually, now that I think of it I guess in many ways music is an influence. Unless there is a specific image the team is capturing, usually my shoots are eccentric because it is free of conformity. I just allow the holy spirit to lead.
Modeling hasn’t stopped a bit for you. At the time of this interview, you are in top position to become an upcoming Maxim (Magazine) Cover Girl. Congrats! For you – as a model AND photographer – do you find that you’re extra critical of what is captured through the lens of your shoots? What’s your favorite fashion style to model?
Thank you so much, truly! My standard to the visual appeal and the essence of truth captured through a lens is an expectation. I don’t like staged imagery. I want captured moments and so I expect that if I’m on either side of the camera. I don’t have a favorite fashion style to model. I do have a story that I would like to share in each of my photoshoots. Mostly, the strength behind my life story is the focus and so that is projected in my essence by simply capturing the moment and not the perceived idea of who I should appear to be like but instead who I really am.
As an Afro-Latina business owner operating within the image consulting industry, have you encountered any culturally-prejudiced challenges with clients? If so, how do you navigate these situations?
I believe that I may very well be the only Latina that has sustained a business in this field at this length of time. Correct me if I’m wrong but I’m positive that I led a market niche. For me, I will always have to decide whether I want to accept challenges or be defeated by them. Defeat will never be an option.
What plans do you have in the near (post-COVID) future?
I’m looking forward to traveling and experiencing life in this new world.
What advice would you give to a young person from the diaspora who wants to do what you do?
My first bit of advice is to find peace of mind. Ask yourself, what makes you happy? Do just that! Learn, explore, question and challenge. Be loud, abrasive, ugly, spunky and sarcastic. Be fun, have fun and enjoy life exactly as it comes, and always, always stop negativity dead in its tracks and send it back to the pits of hell in any form that it comes in whether in thought, person or experience. We are meant to be at peace and we have the control to manifest our deepest desires. So, do so and fear nothing but God.